Foreign matter detection device

• US 10,018,516 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2015
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IHI Corporation
• Original Assignee: IHI Corporation
• Inventors: Niizuma, Motonao
• Primary Examiner(s): Amara, Mohamed K
• Application Number:
  US14/735,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20150308905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/147 electro magnetic [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/122 Circuits or methods for driving the primary coil, e.g. supplying electric power to the coil
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/124 Detection or removal of foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/126 Methods for pairing a vehicle and a charging station, e.g. establishing a one-to-one relation between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/32 using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/33 with a light emitter being disposed at one fibre or waveguide end-face, and a light receiver at the other end-face
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/16 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/00 Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A foreign matter detection device of the present invention is provided with a temperature detection means that detects a temperature distribution in a magnetic field that is formed by a power-supplying device that transmits power wirelessly to a power-receiving device; and a signal processor that, based on a detection result from the temperature detection means, detects a conductive foreign matter in the magnetic field.

Claims

1. A foreign matter detection device comprising:

a temperature detection means that is provided between a power-supplying device and a power-receiving device and detects a temperature distribution in a magnetic field formed by the power-supplying device transmitting power wirelessly to the power-receiving device; and

a signal processor that, based on a detection result from the temperature detection means, detects a conductive foreign matter in the magnetic field, wherein

the power-supplying device is provided with a power-supplying coil; and

a supporting portion is located above the power-supplying coil, and

the temperature detection means is provided so that the temperature detection means is large enough to cover the entirety of an upper surface of the power-supplying coil from above,

wherein the temperature detection means is provided with;

an optical waveguide laid in the magnetic field, a part of the optical waveguide being wound in the same shape as the power-supplying coil;

a light source unit that outputs detection light into the optical waveguide; and

a light-receiving unit that receives the detection light through the optical waveguide,

wherein

the optical waveguide is an optical fiber;

the power-supplying coil is provided in a parking space for a vehicle;

the supporting portion is formed from an insulating material which supports the optical fiber and comprises at least one flexible wire components; and

each of the at least one flexible wire components deform and return to their original shape after they have been deformed.

2. The foreign matter detection device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is laid such that, when viewed from above, the optical fiber has no overlapping portions.

3. The foreign matter detection device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the optical fibers are laid.

4. The foreign matter detection device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the optical fibers are laid.