Wireless power supply system, power transmission device and power receiving device

• US 9,912,195 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2013
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Homma, Yukihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNIE, REXFORD N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shiao, David
• Application Number:
  US14/410,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20150194845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/23 characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge

Abstract

A wireless power supply system is a system wirelessly supplying electric power through electromagnetic waves. The wireless power supply system includes a power transmitter transmitting an electromagnetic wave, and a plurality of power receivers disposed on a rotatable object that rotates around a rotation axis and receives the electromagnetic wave. Further, the plurality of power receivers of the wireless power supply system is disposed such that at least one of the plurality of power receivers is located within a coverage area formed by the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the power transmitter.

Claims

1. A wireless power supply system that wirelessly supplies electric power through electromagnetic waves, the wireless power supply system comprising:

a power transmitter configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave;

a plurality of power receivers disposed on a rotatable object supported rotatably around a rotation axis by a mount stage and configured to receive the electromagnetic wave, the plurality of power receivers being disposed such that at least one power receiver of the plurality of power receivers is located within a coverage area formed by the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the power transmitter; and

a driver controller configured to calculate transmitting direction information for determining a transmitting direction of the electromagnetic wave for the at least one power receiver located within the coverage area, from driver control data to control a driver that drives rotation of the rotatable object,

wherein the power transmitter is further configured to;

obtain the transmitting direction information; and

transmit the electromagnetic wave in a direction calculated based on the transmitting direction information.

2. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a battery that stores electric power converted from the electromagnetic wave received by the at least one power receiver.

3. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a DC-DC converter that converts a direct current voltage into another direct current voltage.

4. A power transmission device that wirelessly supplies electric power through electromagnetic waves, the power transmission device comprising:

a power transmitter configured to;

transmit an electromagnetic wave to a plurality of power receivers disposed on a rotatable object supported rotatably around a rotation axis by a mount stage,

obtain transmitting direction information, being calculated from driver control data to control a driver that drives rotation of the rotatable object, for determining a transmitting direction of the electromagnetic wave toward at least one power receiver among the plurality of power receivers disposed such that the at least one power receiver is located within a coverage area formed by the electromagnetic wave; and

transmit the electromagnetic wave in a direction calculated based on the transmitting direction information.

5. A power receiving device that wirelessly receives electric power through electromagnetic waves, the power receiving device comprising:

a plurality of power receivers disposed on a rotatable object, the rotatable object supported rotatably around a rotation axis by a mount stage, driven around the rotation axis by a driver, and receiving an electromagnetic wave transmitted by a power transmitter,

wherein the power transmitter controls a transmitting direction of the electromagnetic wave based on transmitting direction information being calculated from driver control data to control the driver, and

the plurality of power receivers is disposed such that at least one power receiver of the plurality of power receivers is located within a coverage area formed by the electromagnetic wave.

6. A wireless power supply system comprising:

a plurality of power receivers disposed on a rotatable object supported rotatably around a rotation axis by a mount stage and configured to receive an electromagnetic wave; and

a power transmitter configured to transmit the electromagnetic wave by directing an emitting direction of a beam to at least one power receiver among the plurality of power receivers that rotate, based on driver control data to control a driver that drives rotation of the rotatable object.