JP2861292B2 - Automatic battery charging system for unmanned vehicles - Google Patents

Automatic battery charging system for unmanned vehicles

Info

Publication number
JP2861292B2
JP2861292B2 JP2164062A JP16406290A JP2861292B2 JP 2861292 B2 JP2861292 B2 JP 2861292B2 JP 2164062 A JP2164062 A JP 2164062A JP 16406290 A JP16406290 A JP 16406290A JP 2861292 B2 JP2861292 B2 JP 2861292B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
charging
power supply
battery
unmanned vehicle
coupler
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
JP2164062A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JPH0454805A (en
Inventor
英治 細渕
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shinko Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Shinko Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shinko Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Shinko Electric Co Ltd
Priority to JP2164062A priority Critical patent/JP2861292B2/en
Publication of JPH0454805A publication Critical patent/JPH0454805A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP2861292B2 publication Critical patent/JP2861292B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
    • B60L53/35—Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
    • B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
    • B60L53/305—Communication interfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/60—Monitoring or controlling charging stations
    • B60L53/68—Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
    • B60L2200/40—Working vehicles
    • B60L2200/44—Industrial trucks or floor conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2260/00—Operating Modes
    • B60L2260/20—Drive modes; Transition between modes
    • B60L2260/32—Auto pilot mode
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
    • Y02P90/60—Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/12—Electric charging stations
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/167—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S30/00—Systems supporting specific end-user applications in the sector of transportation
    • Y04S30/10—Systems supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles
    • Y04S30/12—Remote or cooperative charging

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 ［産業上の利用分野］ この発明は、床面上を自動走行する無人車に搭載され
たバッテリーの自動充電システムに関する。Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic battery charging system mounted on an unmanned vehicle that automatically travels on a floor.

［従来の技術］ バッテリーは、使用（放電）によってその容量が低下
してそのまま使用し続けると最後には所定の電流で放電
できなくなるので、それ以前に充電を行なう必要があ
り、無人車のバッテリーも例外ではなく、所定の時間使
用した後に充電を行なっている。そして、この充電は、
作業効率の点などから所定の場所に設置した充電器で自
動的に行うことが多い。[Related Art] Since the capacity of a battery is reduced by use (discharge) and cannot be discharged at a predetermined current if the battery is used continuously, it is necessary to charge the battery before that. This is not an exception, and charging is performed after a predetermined period of use. And this charge is
In many cases, the charging is automatically performed by a charger installed at a predetermined place in terms of work efficiency.

また、製造工場等においては複数台の無人車が連続24
時間稼動するが一般的で、この様な場所においては、作
業効率を向上させるため、充電器を複数の箇所に設け、
充電の必要がある場合には無人車を近くの充電器まで走
行させて、その充電器に備えられている給電カプラーと
無人車のバッテリーとを接続してバッテリー充電を行な
うようにした自動充電システムを用いることが多かっ
た。In manufacturing factories, etc., multiple unmanned vehicles
It is common to operate for hours, and in such places, in order to improve work efficiency, chargers are installed in multiple places,
When charging is required, the unmanned vehicle runs to a nearby charger, and the battery is charged by connecting the power supply coupler of the charger to the battery of the unmanned vehicle. Was often used.

〔発明が解決しようとする課題〕[Problems to be solved by the invention]

しかし、前記した従来のシステムの場合、多くの充電
器及び給電カプラーが必要であり、システム全体として
大きなコストアップになるという問題があった。However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional system, many chargers and power supply couplers are required, and there is a problem that the cost of the entire system is greatly increased.

この発明は従来のものの前記問題点を解決するために
なされたもので、充電器及び給電カプラーの数が少なく
て済む無人車のバッテリー自動充電システムを提供する
ことを目的とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide an automatic battery charging system for an unmanned vehicle that requires a small number of chargers and power supply couplers.

〔課題を解決するための手段〕[Means for solving the problem]

前記目的を達成するため、この発明による無人車のバ
ッテリー自動充電システムは、充電用電源と、この充電
用電源と接続される給電カプラーを１つにし、給電カプ
ラーには駆動手段を設けて予め定められた複数の充電箇
所（以下、充電ステーションと称する。）間を移動可能
にしている。In order to achieve the above object, an automatic driver battery charging system for an unmanned vehicle according to the present invention includes a charging power supply and a power supply coupler connected to the charging power supply, and the power supply coupler is provided with a driving unit and predetermined. Between a plurality of charging points (hereinafter, referred to as charging stations).

そして、この発明による第１のバッテリー自動充電シ
ステムは、さらに、前記駆動手段を制御するコントロー
ラと、前記充電ステーションのそれぞれに配置され前記
無人車が到着したことを検知して前記コントローラに信
号を発する通信手段とを備え、前記充電ステーションに
前記無人車が到着したときに前記通信手段から発せられ
る信号に基づいて前記給電カプラーをその充電ステーシ
ョンに向かわせるようにしたものである。The first automatic battery charging system according to the present invention further includes a controller for controlling the driving means, and a signal disposed to each of the charging stations to detect the arrival of the unmanned vehicle and to issue a signal to the controller. Communication means, and the power supply coupler is directed to the charging station based on a signal emitted from the communication means when the unmanned vehicle arrives at the charging station.

また、この発明による第２のバッテリー自動充電シス
テムは、さらに、前記駆動手段を無人車に走行指令を発
する中央制御装置の指令により駆動させるようにして、
前記バッテリーの充電のために前記充電ステーションに
前記無人車が向かったときに前記中央制御装置の指令に
より前記給電カプラーをその充電ステーションに向かわ
せるようにしたものである。Further, the second battery automatic charging system according to the present invention further drives the driving means according to a command from a central control device that issues a driving command to the unmanned vehicle,
When the driverless vehicle heads for the charging station to charge the battery, the power supply coupler is directed to the charging station according to a command from the central control device.

［作用］ この発明の無人車のバッテリー自動充電システムで
は、給電カプラーに駆動手段を設けて、この給電カプラ
ーを充電ステーション間を移動させるようにして、１つ
の充電器及び１つの給電カプラーで複数の充電ステーシ
ョンをカバーしている。[Operation] In the automatic battery charging system for an unmanned vehicle according to the present invention, a driving unit is provided in the power supply coupler, and the power supply coupler is moved between the charging stations, so that one charger and one power supply coupler are used for a plurality of power supply couplers. Covers charging station.

［実施例］ 次にこの発明の第１の実施例を第１図に基づいて説明
する。第１図中、１は電源としてのバッテリー11を搭載
した無人車で、中央制御装置２からの指令に従って自動
走行する。また、この無人車１は、バッテリー11の受電
カプラーを備えている。31a,31bは無人車１のバッテリ
ー11を充電することが可能な所定の場所3a,3b（以下、
これらの場所を充電ステーション3a,3bと称する。）の
それぞれに備えられている光通信装置で、無人車１が到
着すると信号を発信する。４は受電カプラー12と接続切
り離し可能な給電カプラーで、駆動装置41を備えて各充
電ステーション3a,3b間を移動する。５は充電電器で、
外部の交流電源６から交流電力を入力して直流電力を給
電ケーブル７を介して給電カプラー４に出力する充電用
電源51と、充電用電源51を制御するコントローラ52から
成る。そして、このコントローラ52は光通信装置31a,31
bから発信される信号を受信できるようになっていて、
光通信装置31a,31bから信号を受けると、どちらの光通
信装置31a,31bからの信号であるかを判断して、信号が
発信された光通信装置31a,31bを備えた充電ステーショ
ン3a,3bに給電カプラー４を移動させるように駆動装置4
1に指令を発する。Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an unmanned vehicle equipped with a battery 11 as a power supply, which automatically travels according to a command from a central control device 2. Further, the unmanned vehicle 1 includes a power receiving coupler for the battery 11. 31a and 31b are predetermined places 3a and 3b (hereinafter, referred to as "chargeable") where the battery 11 of the unmanned vehicle 1 can be charged.
These locations are referred to as charging stations 3a, 3b. ), And transmits a signal when the unmanned vehicle 1 arrives. Reference numeral 4 denotes a power supply coupler that can be connected to and disconnected from the power receiving coupler 12, and includes a driving device 41 and moves between the charging stations 3a and 3b. 5 is a charging device,
It comprises a charging power supply 51 for inputting AC power from an external AC power supply 6 and outputting DC power to the power supply coupler 4 via the power supply cable 7, and a controller 52 for controlling the charging power supply 51. The controller 52 is connected to the optical communication devices 31a, 31
It can receive the signal transmitted from b,
When receiving a signal from the optical communication devices 31a, 31b, the charging station 3a, 3b including the optical communication device 31a, 31b from which the signal is transmitted is determined by determining which of the optical communication devices 31a, 31b is the signal. Drive 4 so as to move the feed coupler 4
Issue a command to 1.

次に、以上の構成における作用を説明する。 Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

無人車１はバッテリー11を駆動源として中央制御装置
２からの指令に従って自動走行するが、バッテリー11を
充電する必要が生じると、最寄りの充電ステーション3a
に向けて走行し、無人車１が充電ステーション3aに到着
すると、光通信装置31aが信号を発信し、コントローラ5
2がこの信号を受信して、給電カプラー４を充電ステー
ション3aに移動するように駆動装置41に指令を発し、給
電カプラー４は充電ステーション3aに向けて移動し、こ
の給電カプラー４と無人車１の受電カプラー12が対向す
ると公知の作用により給電カプラー４と受電カプラー12
が接続され、コントローラ52の指令により充電電源51か
ら給電ケーブル7,給電カプラー４及び受電カプラー12を
順次介してバッテリー11に電力が供給されて、このバッ
テリー11は充電される。The unmanned vehicle 1 automatically travels using the battery 11 as a drive source in accordance with a command from the central control device 2. However, when the battery 11 needs to be charged, the nearest charging station 3a
When the unmanned vehicle 1 arrives at the charging station 3a, the optical communication device 31a transmits a signal and the controller 5
2 receives this signal and issues a command to the driving device 41 to move the power supply coupler 4 to the charging station 3a. The power supply coupler 4 moves toward the charging station 3a, and the power supply coupler 4 and the unmanned vehicle 1 move. When the power receiving couplers 12 face each other, the power supply coupler 4 and the power receiving coupler 12
Is connected, and power is supplied from the charging power source 51 to the battery 11 via the power supply cable 7, the power supply coupler 4, and the power receiving coupler 12 in order according to a command from the controller 52, and the battery 11 is charged.

次にこの発明の第２の実施例を第２図に基づいて説明
する。なお、この第２の実施例では前記した第１の実施
例と相違する点に付いてのみ説明する。また、第２図中
に示した符号は第１図に同一符号を付したものと対応し
ている。第１の実施例と相違する点は、前記した第１の
実施例の充電ステーション3a,3bのそれぞれに備えた光
通信装置31a,31bを省略し、中央制御装置２からコント
ローラ52に指令を発することができるようにして、無人
車１が最寄りの充電ステーション3a,3bに向かうのと同
時に、中央制御装置２からコントローラ52を介して駆動
装置41に給電カプラー４を無人車１に向かった充電ステ
ーション3a,3bに移動させるように指令を発するように
したことにある。そして、無人車１のバッテリー11を充
電する必要が生じると、この無人車１は最寄りの充電ス
テーション3aに向けて走行するが、このとき、中央制御
装置２からコントローラ52を介して駆動装置41に与えら
れる指令により、給電カプラー４も充電ステーション3a
に向けて移動し、この給電カプラー４と無人車１の受電
カプラー12とが対向すると公知の作用により給電カプラ
ー４と受電カプラー12が接続され、コントローラ52の指
令により充電電源51から給電ケーブル７、給電カプラー
４及び受電カプラー12を順次介してバッテリー11に電力
が供給され、このバッテリー11は充電される。Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The reference numerals shown in FIG. 2 correspond to those given the same reference numerals in FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is that the optical communication devices 31a and 31b provided in each of the charging stations 3a and 3b of the first embodiment are omitted, and a command is issued from the central control device 2 to the controller 52. So that the unmanned vehicle 1 travels to the nearest charging stations 3a and 3b, and at the same time, the power supply coupler 4 is sent from the central control device 2 to the driving device 41 via the controller 52 to the unmanned vehicle 1. That is, a command is issued so as to move to 3a, 3b. Then, when it becomes necessary to charge the battery 11 of the unmanned vehicle 1, the unmanned vehicle 1 travels to the nearest charging station 3a. At this time, the unmanned vehicle 1 is sent from the central control device 2 to the drive device 41 via the controller 52. According to the command given, the power supply coupler 4 is also charged at the charging station 3a.
When the power supply coupler 4 and the power reception coupler 12 of the unmanned vehicle 1 face each other, the power supply coupler 4 and the power reception coupler 12 are connected by a known operation, and the power supply cable 7 Electric power is supplied to the battery 11 via the power supply coupler 4 and the power reception coupler 12 sequentially, and the battery 11 is charged.

なお、前記第１の実施例及び第２の実施例では、充電
ステーションを２つ設けているが、３つ以上設けてもこ
の発明は当然実施できる。In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, two charging stations are provided. However, the present invention can be naturally implemented even if three or more charging stations are provided.

［発明の効果］ 以上説明したように、この発明によれば給電カプラー
を移動可能にして複数の充電ステーションをカバーする
ようにしたので、充電器及び給電カプラーを各システム
に１組設ければ良くなり、システム全体のコストダウン
ができるという優れた効果がある。[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the power supply coupler is made movable so as to cover a plurality of charging stations. Therefore, one set of the charger and the power supply coupler may be provided in each system. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the cost of the entire system can be reduced.

また、請求項２の発明では、無人車が充電ステーショ
ンに向かうのと同時に給電カプラーも充電ステーション
に向かわせるようにしたので、無人車と給電カプラーが
ほぼ同時に充電ステーションに到着できて速やかな充電
が行なえるので、システム全体としての効率が向上する
という優れた効果を生じる。According to the second aspect of the invention, the unmanned vehicle and the power supply coupler can arrive at the charging station almost at the same time as the unmanned vehicle and the power supply coupler are simultaneously directed to the charging station simultaneously with the unmanned vehicle. Because of this, there is an excellent effect that the efficiency of the entire system is improved.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

第１図はこの発明の第１の実施例を示す平面図、第２図
はこの発明の第２の実施例を示す平面図である。 １……無人車、２……中央制御装置、3a,3b……充電ス
テーション、４……給電カプラー、11……バッテリー、
31a,31b……光通信装置（通信手段）、41……駆動装
置、51……充電用電源、52……コントローラ。FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... unmanned vehicle, 2 ... central control unit, 3a, 3b ... charging station, 4 ... feeding coupler, 11 ... battery,
31a, 31b: optical communication device (communication means), 41: driving device, 51: charging power source, 52: controller.

Claims (2)

(57)【特許請求の範囲】(57) [Claims] 【請求項１】無人車に搭載されたバッテリーを自動的に
充電するシステムであって、駆動手段を備えて予め定め
られた複数の充電箇所のそれぞれに移動可能で前記バッ
テリーと接続切り離し可能な給電カプラーと、この給電
カプラーに電力を供給可能な充電用電源と、前記駆動手
段を制御するコントローラと、前記充電箇所のそれぞれ
に配置され前記無人車が到着したことを検知して前記コ
ントローラに信号を発する通信手段とを備え、前記充電
箇所の選択された一箇所に前記無人車が到着したときに
前記通信手段から発せられる信号に基づいて前記給電カ
プラーをその充電箇所に向かわせるようにしたことを特
徴とする無人車のバッテリー自動充電システム。1. A system for automatically charging a battery mounted on an unmanned vehicle, comprising: a power supply that is movable to each of a plurality of predetermined charging points and that can be disconnected from the battery. A coupler, a charging power supply capable of supplying power to the power supply coupler, a controller for controlling the driving means, and a signal arranged to each of the charging points to detect the arrival of the unmanned vehicle and to send a signal to the controller. Communication means for emitting, and when the unmanned vehicle arrives at a selected one of the charging points, the power supply coupler is directed to the charging point based on a signal emitted from the communication means. Characteristic automatic battery charging system for unmanned vehicles. 【請求項２】中央制御装置の指令により自動走行する無
人車に搭載されたバッテリーを自動的に充電するシステ
ムであって、前記中央制御装置の指令により駆動する駆
動手段を備えて予め定められた複数の充電箇所のそれぞ
れに移動可能で前記バッテリーと接続切り離し可能な給
電カプラーと、この給電カプラーに電力を供給可能な充
電用電源とを備え、前記バッテリーの充電のために前記
充電箇所の選択された一箇所に前記無人車が向かったと
きに前記中央制御装置の指令により前記給電カプラーを
その充電箇所に向かわせるようにしたことを特徴とする
無人車のバッテリー自動充電システム。2. A system for automatically charging a battery mounted on an unmanned vehicle that automatically travels according to a command from a central control unit, comprising a drive unit driven by a command from the central control unit, and a predetermined unit. A power supply coupler movable to each of a plurality of charging points and disconnectable from the battery; and a charging power supply capable of supplying power to the power supply coupler, wherein the charging point is selected for charging the battery. An automatic charging system for a battery of an unmanned vehicle, wherein the power supply coupler is directed to the charging position by a command of the central control device when the unmanned vehicle heads to one location.
JP2164062A 1990-06-25 1990-06-25 Automatic battery charging system for unmanned vehicles Expired - Fee Related JP2861292B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2164062A JP2861292B2 (en) 1990-06-25 1990-06-25 Automatic battery charging system for unmanned vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2164062A JP2861292B2 (en) 1990-06-25 1990-06-25 Automatic battery charging system for unmanned vehicles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH0454805A JPH0454805A (en) 1992-02-21
JP2861292B2 true JP2861292B2 (en) 1999-02-24

Family

ID=15786058

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2164062A Expired - Fee Related JP2861292B2 (en) 1990-06-25 1990-06-25 Automatic battery charging system for unmanned vehicles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2861292B2 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69711963T2 (en) * 1996-01-30 2002-11-28 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Connection system and method for an electrically powered vehicle
DE102012221128A1 (en) 2012-11-20 2014-05-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for loading electric car, involves making load coupling device of loading column device to approach load coupling device of electric vehicle up to determined spacing for loading vehicle
JP2019057959A (en) * 2017-09-19 2019-04-11 日本電産株式会社 Unmanned movable body
JP7292642B2 (en) * 2019-05-21 2023-06-19 川崎重工業株式会社 Power supply system and power supply device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0454805A (en) 1992-02-21

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