Power feeding system, power feeder, power-receiving equipment, and positioning control method

• US 20100295378A1
• Filed: 04/29/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Uchida, Kazuhiro, Sato, Dai, Suzuki, Naho
• Granted Patent: US 8,415,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A power feeding system includes: a power feeder including a mount, a primary coil, a moving means, a query output means outputting a query, a receiving means receiving notification information, a primary coil direct-current driving control means controlling the primary coil to be driven with a direct current, a query control means allowing the query output means to output a query, and a primary coil alternating-current driving control means controlling the primary coil to be driven with an alternating current; and a power-receiving equipment including a secondary coil, a sensing means disposed at a position where the sensing means can sense the query, a secondary coil direct-current driving control means controlling the secondary coil to be driven with a direct current, a notification information output means, and a secondary coil alternating-current driving control means controlling the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil is exerted.

Claims

1. A power feeding system comprising:

a power feeder; and

power-receiving equipment that receives power fed from the power feeder, wherein

the power feeder includes

a mount on which the power-receiving equipment is placed,

a primary coil,

a moving means that makes the primary coil movable,

a query output means that is disposed so that the positional relationship to the movable primary coil remains unchanged, and outputs a query to outside using a predetermined medium,

a receiving means that when the query is sensed by the power-receiving equipment, receives notification information outputted from the power-receiving equipment,

a primary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the mount, as long as the primary coil is made movable by the moving means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length,

a query control means that after driving the primary coil with a direct current is begun, allows the query output means to output a query, and

a primary coil alternating-current driving control means that after the notification information outputted from the power-receiving equipment in response to the query outputted by the query control means is received by the receiving means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current, and

the power-receiving equipment includes

a secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment,

a sensing means that is disposed at a position in the power-receiving equipment at which when the positional relationship between the primary coil and secondary coil falls within a proper range, the sensing means can sense the query,

a secondary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the power feeder, controls the secondary coil so that the secondary coil is driven with a direct current in order to exert attraction with respect to the primary coil which is driven with a direct current,

a notification information output means that after the driving with a direct current is begun by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, when the query is sensed by the sensing means, outputs the notification information, and

a secondary coil alternating-current driving control means that after the driving with a direct current is begun by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, when the query is sensed by the sensing means, controls the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.

2. The power feeding system according to claim 1, wherein

in the power feeder, when the notification information responding to the query outputted by the query control means is not received by the receiving means, the primary coil direct-current driving control means re-executes the driving of the primary coil with a direct current over the certain time length;

and

after the re-executed driving of the primary coil with a direct current is begun, the query control means allows the query output means to output a query again.

3. The power feeding system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the query is outputted by the query control means, the primary coil direct-current driving control means ceases the driving of the primary coil with a direct current.

4. The power feeding system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein

the moving means includes a movable member having the primary coil, and a movable member bearing region located below the movable member;

and

friction between the movable member and movable member bearing region is reduced to such an extent that the primary coil can be moved with the attraction exerted between the primary coil and secondary coil.

5. The power feeding system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mount includes an electromagnet, further comprising:

an electromagnet driving means that when the primary coil is driven with a direct current by the primary coil direct-current driving control means, drives the electromagnet so that repulsion is exerted with respect to the primary coil.

6. The power feeding system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mount is structured to have a plurality of spherical pieces arranged in planar directions.

7. The power feeding system according to any claims 1 to 6, wherein

the query output means outputs a query using light as the medium;

and

the sensing means senses the light.

8. The power feeding system according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the power-receiving equipment includes a charging means that charges the secondary battery by utilizing the induced electromotive force exerted in the secondary coil.

9. A power feeding system comprising:

a power feeder; and

power-receiving equipment that receives power fed from the power feeder, wherein

the power feeder includes

a mount on which the power-receiving equipment is placed,

a primary coil,

a moving means that makes the primary coil movable,

a sensing means disposed so that the positional relationship to the movable primary coil remains unchanged, and located at a position at which when the positional relationship between the primary coil and a secondary coil incorporated in the power-receiving equipment falls within a proper range, the sensing means can sense a query outputted from the power-receiving equipment,

a primary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the mount, as long as the primary coil is made movable by the moving means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil is driver with a direct current over a certain time length, and

a primary coil alternating-current driving control means that after driving the primary coil with a direct current is begun, when the query is sensed by the sensing means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current, and

the power-receiving equipment includes

a secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment,

a query output means that outputs the query to outside using a predetermined medium so that whether the positional relationship between the primary coil and secondary coil falls within the proper range can be decided,

a secondary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the power feeder, controls the secondary coil so that the secondary coil is driven with a direct current over the certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to the primary coil which is driven with a direct current,

a query control means that after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, allows the query output means to output the query, and

a secondary coil alternating-current driving control means that after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, controls the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.

10. The power feeding system according to claim 9, further comprising a pulse application means that is incorporated in the power feeder, and that when the query is sensed by the sensing means, applies a pulse to the primary coil, and a pulse sensing means that is incorporated in the power-receiving equipment, and that senses a pulsating voltage induced by the secondary coil responsively to the application of the pulse to the primary coil by the pulse application means, wherein

when the pulse is sensed by the pulse sensing means, the secondary coil alternating-current driving control means controls the secondary coil so that the electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.

11. A power feeder comprising:

a mount on which power-receiving equipment is placed;

a primary coil;

a moving means that makes the primary coil movable;

a query output means that is disposed so that the positional relationship to the movable primary coil remains unchanged, and outputs a query to outside using a predetermined medium;

a receiving means that assuming that the positional relationship between the primary coil and a secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment falls within a proper range, when the query is sensed by the power-receiving equipment, receives notification information outputted from the power-receiving equipment;

a primary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the mount, as long as the primary coil is made movable by the moving means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to the secondary coil which is driven with a direct current in the power-receiving equipment;

a query control means that after driving the primary coil with a direct current is begun, allows the query output means to output the query; and

a primary coil alternating-current driving control means that after the notification information outputted from the power-receiving equipment in response to the query outputted by the query control means is received by the receiving means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current.

12. Power-receiving equipment comprising:

a secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment;

a sensing means located at a position at which when the positional relationship between a primary coil incorporated to be movable in a power feeder and the secondary coil falls within a proper range, the sensing means can sense a query outputted from the power feeder;

a secondary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the power feeder, controls the secondary coil so that the secondary coil is driven with a direct current in order to exert attraction with respect to the primary coil which is driven with a direct current in the power feeder;

a notification information output means that after the driving with a direct current is begun by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, when the query is sensed by the sensing means, outputs notification information; and

a secondary coil alternating-current driving control means that after the driving with a direct current is begun by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, when the query is sensed by the sensing means, controls the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.

13. A power feeder comprising:

a mount on which power-receiving equipment is placed;

a primary coil;

a moving means that makes the primary coil movable;

a sensing means disposed so that the positional relationship to the movable primary coil remains unchanged, and located at a position at which when the positional relationship between the primary coil and a secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment falls within a proper range, the sensing means can sense a query outputted from the power-receiving equipment;

a primary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the mount, as long as the primary coil is made movable by the moving means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to the secondary coil which is driven with a direct current in the power-receiving equipment; and

a primary coil alternating-current driving control means that after driving the primary coil with a direct current is begun, when the query is sensed by the sensing means, controls the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current.

14. Power-receiving equipment comprising:

a secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment;

a query output means that outputs a query to outside using a predetermined medium so that whether the positional relationship between a primary coil incorporated in a power feeder and the secondary coil falls within a proper range can be decided;

a secondary coil direct-current driving control means that when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the power feeder, controls the secondary coil so that the secondary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to the primary coil which is driven with a direct current;

a query control means that after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, controls the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with a direct current is exerted; and

a secondary coil alternating-current driving control means that after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current by the secondary coil direct-current driving control means, controls the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.

15. A positioning control method to be implemented in a power feeding system including a power feeder and power-receiving equipment that receives power fed from the power feeder, the method comprising the steps of:

when a query is sensed by the power-receiving equipment, allowing the power feeder to receive notification information outputted from the power-receiving equipment;

when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the power feeder, as long as the primary coil is made movable by a moving unit which makes the primary coil movable, allowing the power feeder to control a primary coil so that the primary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length;

after driving the primary coil with a direct current is begun, allowing a query output unit, which is disposed in the power feeder so that the positional relationship to the primary coil which is made movable by the moving unit remains unchanged, and outputs a query to outside using a predetermined medium, to output the query;

after the notification information outputted from the power-receiving equipment in response to the query outputted at the query control step is received at the receiving step, allowing the power feeder to control the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current;

when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the power feeder, allowing the power-receiving equipment to control a secondary coil so that the secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment is driven with a direct current in order to exert attraction with respect to the primary coil which is driven with a direct current;

after driving with a direct current is begun at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, when the query is sensed by a sensing unit that is located at a position at which when the positional relationship between the primary coil and the secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment falls within a proper range, the sensing unit can sense the query, allowing the power-receiving equipment to output the notification information; and

after the driving with a direct current is begun at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, when the query is sensed by the sensing unit, allowing the power-receiving equipment to control the secondary coil so that electromagnetic force induced by the primary coil which is driven with a direct current is exerted.

16. A positioning control method to be implemented in a power feeder, the method comprising the steps of:

when the positional relationship between the primary coil and a secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power feeder falls within a proper range, if a query outputted from a query output unit, which is disposed so that the positional relationship to a primary coil to be made movable by a moving unit that makes the primary coil movable remains unchanged, to outside using a predetermined medium is sensed by the power-receiving equipment, receiving notification information outputted from power-receiving equipment;

when the power-receiving equipment is placed on a mount, as long as the primary coil is made movable by the moving unit, controlling the primary coil so that the primary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to the secondary coil which is driven with a direct current in the power-receiving equipment;

after driving the primary coil is begun, allowing the query output unit to output a query; and

after the notification information outputted from the power-receiving equipment in response to the query outputted at the query control step is received at the receiving step, controlling the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current.

17. A positioning control method to be implemented in power-receiving equipment, the method comprising the steps of:

when the power-receiving equipment is placed on a power feeder, controlling a secondary coil, which is incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment, so that the secondary coil is driven with a direct current in order to exert attraction with respect to a movable primary coil which is driven with a direct current in the power feeder;

after driving with a direct current is begun at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, if a query is sensed by a sensing unit that is located at a position in the power-receiving equipment at which when the positional relationship between the primary coil of the power feeder and the secondary coil of the power-receiving equipment falls within a proper range, the sensing unit can sense the query outputted from the power feeder, outputting notification information; and

after the driving with a direct current is begun at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, when the query is sensed by the sensing unit, controlling the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.

18. A positioning control method to be implemented in a power feeding system including a power feeder and power-receiving equipment that receives power fed from the power feeder, the method comprising the steps of:

when the power-receiving equipment is placed on a mount of the power feeder, allowing the power feeder to control a primary coil, which is made movable by a moving unit that makes the primary coil movable, so that the primary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length;

after driving the primary coil with a direct current is begun, when a query is sensed by a sensing unit that is disposed so that the positional relationship to the movable primary coil remains unchanged and that is located at a position at which when the positional relationship between the primary coil and a secondary coil of the power-receiving equipment falls within a proper range, the sensing unit can sense the query sent from the power-receiving equipment, allowing the power feeder to control the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current;

when the power-receiving equipment is placed on the power feeder, allowing the power-receiving equipment to control the secondary coil, which is incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment, so that the secondary coil is driven with a direct current over the certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to the primary coil which is driven with a direct current;

after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, allowing a query output unit, which is included in the power-receiving equipment and outputs a query to outside using a predetermined medium, to output the query so that whether the positional relationship between the primary coil and secondary coil falls within a proper range can be decided; and

after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, allowing the power-receiving equipment to control the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.

19. A positioning control method to be implemented in a power feeder, the method comprising the steps of:

when power-receiving equipment is placed on a mount of the power feeder, as long as a primary coil is made movable by a moving unit that makes the primary coil movable, controlling the primary coil so that the primary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to a secondary coil which is driven with a direct current in the power-receiving equipment; and

after driving the primary coil with a direct current is begun, when a query is sensed by a sensing unit that is disposed so that the positional relationship to the primary coil which is made movable by the moving unit remains unchanged and that is located at a position at which when the positional relationship between the primary coil and the secondary coil incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment falls within a proper range, the sensing unit can sense the query, controlling the primary coil so that the primary coil can be driven with an alternating current.

20. A positioning control method to be implemented in power-receiving equipment, the method comprising the steps of:

when the power-receiving equipment is placed on a power feeder, controlling a secondary coil, which is incorporated to be stationary in the power-receiving equipment, so that the secondary coil is driven with a direct current over a certain time length in order to exert attraction with respect to a movable primary coil which is driven with a direct current;

after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, allowing a query output unit, which outputs a query to outside using a predetermined medium, to output the query so that whether the positional relationship between the primary coil and secondary coil falls within a proper range can be decided; and

after the secondary coil is driven with a direct current at the secondary coil direct-current driving control step, controlling the secondary coil so that electromotive force induced by the primary coil which is driven with an alternating current is exerted.