WIRELESS POWER RECEIVING APPARATUS

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a wireless power supply technique.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In recent years, wireless (contactless) power transmission has been receiving attention as a power supply technique for electronic devices such as cellular phone terminals, laptop computers, etc., or for electric vehicles. Wireless power supply transmission can be classified into three principal methods: an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic wave reception method, and an electric field/magnetic field resonance method.

[0005] The electromagnetic induction method is employed to supply electric power at a short range (several cm or less), which enables electric power of several hundred watts to be transmitted in a band that is equal to or lower than several hundred kHz. The power use efficiency thereof is on the order of 60% to 98%. In a case in which electric power is to be supplied over a relatively long range of several meters or more, the electromagnetic wave reception method is employed. The electromagnetic wave reception method allows electric power of several watts or less to be transmitted in a band between medium waves and microwaves. However, the power use efficiency thereof is small. The electric field/magnetic field resonance method has been receiving attention as a method for supplying electric power with relatively high efficiency at a middle range on the order of several meters (see Non-patent document 1).

• [0006] A. Karalis, J. D. Joannopoulos, M. Soljacic, “Efficient wireless non-radiative mid-range energy transfer” ANNALS of PHYSICS Vol. 323, January 2008, pp. 34-48.

[0007] The Q value is known as an important parameter in electric power transmission using the electric field (magnetic field) resonance method. FIG. 1A is a diagram which shows an example of a wireless power supply system. A wireless power supply system 1100 includes a wireless power supply apparatus 1200 and a wireless power receiving apparatus 1300. The wireless power supply apparatus 1200 includes a transmission coil L_T1, a resonance capacitor C_T, and an AC power supply 10. The AC power supply 10 is configured to generate an electric signal S2 having a transmission frequency f₁. The resonance capacitor C_T and the transmission coil L_T1 form a resonance circuit. The resonance frequency of the resonance circuit thus formed is tuned to the frequency of the electric signal S2. The transmission coil L_T1 is configured to transmit an electric power signal S1.

[0008] The wireless power receiving apparatus 1300 includes a reception coil L_R1, a resonance capacitor C_R, and a load circuit 20. The resonance capacitor C_R and the load circuit 20 form a resonance circuit. The resonance frequency of the resonance circuit thus formed is tuned to the frequency of the electric power signal S1.

[0009] In order to tune the wireless power supply apparatus 1200 and the wireless power receiving apparatus 1300 to the frequency of the electric signal S2, the resonance capacitors C_T and C_R are each configured as a variable capacitor as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0010] Such a variable capacitor has multiple capacitors C and multiple switches SW for switching these capacitors. With such a variable capacitor shown in FIG. 1B, as the number of capacitance steps becomes greater, the number of components such as capacitors, switches, etc., also becomes greater, leading to a problem of an increased circuit area and a problem of increased costs.

[0011] The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. Accordingly, it is en exemplary purpose of the present invention to provide a wireless power supply system having an advantage of suppressing an increase in the number of circuit components.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless power receiving apparatus configured to receive an electric power signal including any one of an electric field, a magnetic field, and an electromagnetic field, transmitted from a wireless power supply apparatus. The wireless power receiving apparatus comprises: a reception coil configured to receive the electric power signal; a first capacitor arranged in series with the reception coil; a switch and a second capacitor arranged in series on a path arranged in parallel with the first capacitor; and a control unit configured to control an on/off operation of the switch, with a duty ratio that corresponds to the frequency of the electric power signal.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a wireless power receiving apparatus. The wireless power receiving apparatus comprises: a reception coil configured to receive the electric power signal; an auxiliary coil and a capacitor arranged in series with the reception coil; a switch arranged in parallel with the auxiliary coil; and a control unit configured to control an on/off operation of the switch, with a duty ratio that corresponds to the frequency of the electric power signal.

[0014] Yet Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a wireless power receiving apparatus. The wireless power receiving apparatus comprises: a reception coil configured to receive an electric power signal; a first auxiliary coil and a resonance capacitor arranged in series with the reception coil; a second auxiliary coil configured such that it shares a common core with the first auxiliary coil; a first capacitor and a second capacitor arranged in series such that they and the second auxiliary coil form a closed loop; a switch arranged in parallel with the second capacitor; and a control unit configured to control an on/off operation of the switch, with a duty ratio that corresponds to the frequency of the electric power signal.

[0015] Yet Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless power supply apparatus configured to transmit an electric power signal including any one of an electric field, a magnetic field, and an electromagnetic field. The wireless power supply apparatus comprises: a transmission coil configured to transmit the electric power signal; a first capacitor arranged in series with the transmission coil; a switch and a second capacitor arranged in series on a path arranged in parallel with the first capacitor; and a control unit configured to perform an on/off operation of the switch, with a duty ratio that corresponds to the frequency of the electric power signal.

[0016] Yet Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a wireless power supply apparatus. The wireless power supply apparatus comprises: a transmission coil configured to transmit an electric power signal; an auxiliary coil and a capacitor arranged in series with the transmission coil; a switch arranged in parallel with the auxiliary coil; and a control unit configured to control an on/off operation of the switch, with a duty ratio that corresponds to the frequency of the electric power signal.

[0017] Yet Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a wireless power supply apparatus. The wireless power supply apparatus comprises: a transmission coil configured to transmit an electric power signal; a first auxiliary coil and a resonance capacitor arranged in series with the transmission coil; a second auxiliary coil configured such that it shares a common core with the first auxiliary coil; a first capacitor and a second capacitor arranged in series such that they and the second auxiliary coil form a closed loop; a switch arranged in parallel with the second capacitor; and a control unit configured to control an on/off operation of the switch, with a duty ratio that corresponds to the frequency of the electric power signal.

[0018] Yet Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless power supply system. The wireless power supply system comprises: a wireless power supply apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, configured to transmit an electric power signal including any one of an electric field, a magnetic field, and an electromagnetic field; and a wireless power receiving apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, configured to receive the electric power signal.

[0019] It is to be noted that any arbitrary combination or rearrangement of the above-described structural components and so forth is effective as and encompassed by the present embodiments. Moreover, this summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all necessary features so that the invention may also be a sub-combination of these described features.

[0026] The invention will now be described based on preferred embodiments which do not intend to limit the scope of the present invention but exemplify the invention. All of the features and the combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention.

[0027] In the present specification, the state represented by the phrase “the member A is connected to the member B” includes a state in which the member A is indirectly connected to the member B via another member that does not affect the electric connection therebetween, in addition to a state in which the member A is physically and directly connected to the member B.

[0028] Similarly, the state represented by the phrase “the member C is provided between the member A and the member B” includes a state in which the member A is indirectly connected to the member C, or the member B is indirectly connected to the member C via another member that does not affect the electric connection therebetween, in addition to a state in which the member A is directly connected to the member C, or the member B is directly connected to the member C.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram which shows a configuration of a wireless power supply system 100 according to a first embodiment. The wireless power supply system 100 includes a wireless power supply apparatus 200 and a wireless power receiving apparatus 300.

[0030] The wireless power supply apparatus 200 transmits an electric power signal S1 to the wireless power receiving apparatus 300. As such an electric power signal S1, the wireless power supply system 100 uses the near-field component (electric field, magnetic field, or electromagnetic field) of electromagnetic waves that has not become radio waves.

[0031] The wireless power supply apparatus 200 includes an AC power supply 10, a transmission coil L_T1, a resonance capacitor C_T, and a control unit 12. The AC power supply 10 generates an electric signal S2 having a predetermined frequency, or subjected to frequency-modulation, phase-modulation, amplitude-modulation, or the like. For simplicity of description and ease of understanding, description will be made in the present embodiment regarding an arrangement in which the electric signal S2 is an AC signal having a constant frequency. For example, the frequency f₁ of the electric signal S2 is selected from a range between several hundred kHz and several MHz.

[0032] The transmission coil L_T1 is an antenna configured to emit the electric signal S2 generated by the AC power supply 10, as a near-field signal (electric power signal) S1 including any one of an electric field, magnetic field, or electromagnetic field.

[0033] The resonance capacitor C_T is arranged in series with the transmission coil L_T1, and is configured to tune the resonance frequency f₀ of a resonance circuit that comprises the resonance capacitor C_T and the transmission coil L_T1 to the transmission frequency f₁.

[0034] The above is the overall configuration of the wireless power supply apparatus 200. Next, description will be made regarding a configuration of the wireless power receiving apparatus 300. The wireless power receiving apparatus 300 receives the electric power signal S1 transmitted from the wireless power supply apparatus 200. The wireless power receiving apparatus 300 includes a reception coil L_R1, a resonance capacitor C_R, and a load circuit 20. The resonance capacitor C_R and the reception coil L_R1 form a resonance circuit.

[0035] The reception coil L_R1 receives the electric power signal S1 from the transmission coil L_T1. An induced current (resonance current) I_R1 that corresponds to the electric power signal S1 flows through the reception coil L_R1. The wireless power receiving apparatus 300 retrieves electric power from the induced current. The load circuit 20 is a circuit configured to operate receiving electric power supplied from the wireless power supply apparatus 200. The usage and the configuration of the load circuit 20 is not restricted in particular. The above is the overall configuration of the wireless power receiving apparatus 300.

[0036] The resonance capacitor C_T of the wireless power supply apparatus 200 and the resonance capacitor C_R of the wireless power receiving apparatus 300 are each configured as a variable capacitor in order to tune their respective resonance frequencies to the frequency of the electric power signal S1. The resonance capacitors C_T and C_R have the same configuration. Thus, description will be made as an example regarding the resonance capacitor C_T on the transmission side.

[0037] The resonance capacitor C_T includes a first capacitor C_TV1, a second capacitor C_TV2, a third capacitor C_T, and a switch SW_T. The first capacitor C_TV1 is arranged in series with the transmission coil L_T1. The switch SW_T and the second capacitor C_TV2 area arranged in series on a path arranged in parallel with the first capacitor C_TV1. The third capacitor C_T is arranged in series with the transmission coil L_T1 and the first capacitor C_TV1.

[0038] The control unit 12 controls the on/off operation of the switch SW_T with a duty ratio d that corresponds to the frequency (transmission frequency) f₁ of the electric signal S2. The control unit 12 controls the switch SW_T in synchronization with a current IL_T1 that flows through the transmission coil L_T1. It is needless to say that the control unit 12 on the transmission side is capable of acquiring the frequency f₁ of the electric signal S2.

[0039] FIGS. 3A and 3B are time charts showing the operation of the wireless power supply apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3A shows the current IL_T1 that flows through the transmission coil L_T1, and the state of the switch SW_T. FIG. 3B shows the state of the switch for each period. As shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 12 performs a control operation such that the timing at which the amplitude of the current IL_T1 that flows through the transmission coil L_T1 becomes its maximum value is included in the on period T_ON of the switch SW_T. Furthermore, the control unit 12 preferably performs a control operation such that the center of the on period T_ON matches the timing at which the amplitude of the current IL_T1 becomes its maximum value.

[0040] The capacitance of the resonance capacitor C_T of the wireless power supply apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2 is represented by the following Expression (1), using the duty ratio (d=T_ON/Tp) of the switch SW_T.

C_T=C_T1·(d·C_TV1+C_TV2)/{C_T1+(d·C_TV1+C_TV2)}  (1)

[0041] Furthermore, the resonance frequency (tuning frequency) f₀ is represented by the following Expression (2).

f₀=1/{2π√(L_T1·C_T)}  (2)

[0042] By substituting Expression (1) into Expression (2), the resonance frequency f₀ is represented by the following Expression (3), using the duty ratio d.

$\begin{array}{cc}{f}_0=\frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{L_{T1}·\frac{C_{T1}·\left(d·C_{TV1}+C_{\mathrm{TV}2}\right)}{C_{T1}+\left(d·C_{\mathrm{TV}1}+C_{\mathrm{TV}2}\right)}}}& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

[0043] For example, description will be made regarding an arrangement in which L_T1=300 μH, C_T1=90 pF, C_TV1=1 nF, and C_TV2=0.5 nF. The control unit 12 is capable of adjusting the duty ratio d in a range from 0 to 1. Thus, such an arrangement allows the resonance capacitor C_T to have a variable capacitance in a range from 76.27 to 84.91 pF. Such an arrangement provides a resonance frequency f₀ that can be changed in a range between 0.997 MHz and 1.052 MHz.

[0044] Such a configuration requires only a single switch SW_T to change the resonance frequency f₀ in multiple steps. Thus, such an arrangement provides a reduced number of circuit components, as compared with conventional circuits.

[0045] Furthermore, by performing the on/off switching of the switch SW_T as shown in FIG. 3B, such an arrangement suppresses high-frequency components that occur due to the switching operation.

[0046] Furthermore, such a configuration shown in FIG. 2 provides a reduced voltage applied to the switch SW_T, as compared with a variable capacitor shown in FIG. 1B. Thus, an element having a low breakdown voltage can be employed as such a switch SW_T, thereby providing reduced costs.

[0047] Also, such an arrangement allows the resonance capacitor C_R included in the wireless power receiving apparatus 300 to have the same advantages as described above. It should be noted that the control unit 22 of the wireless power receiving apparatus 300 may measure the frequency f₁ of the electric power signal S1 to determine the duty ratio d. Alternatively, the control unit 22 of the wireless power receiving apparatus 300 may determine the duty ratio d based upon a signal that is a notice of the resonance frequency f₀ transmitted from the wireless power supply apparatus 200.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram which shows a configuration of a wireless power supply system 100a according to a second embodiment.

[0049] Description has been made in the first embodiment regarding an arrangement configured to adjust the resonance frequency by changing the capacitance of a resonance circuit. Description will be made in the second embodiment regarding a technique for adjusting the resonance frequency by changing the inductance of a resonance circuit.

[0050] A wireless power supply apparatus 200a includes an AC power supply 10, a transmission coil L_T1, an auxiliary Coil L_TV1, a switch SW_T, a resonance capacitor C_T, and a control unit 12.

[0051] The auxiliary coil L_TV1 and the resonance capacitor C_T are arranged in series with the transmission coil L_T1. The switch SW_T is arranged in parallel with the auxiliary coil L_TV1. The control unit 12 controls the on/off operation of the switch SW_T with a duty ratio d that corresponds to the frequency f₁ of an electric power signal S1.

[0052] The wireless power receiving apparatus 300a includes a reception coil L_R1, an auxiliary coil L_RV1, a resonance capacitor C_R, a switch SW_R, a load circuit 20, and a control unit 22.

[0053] The auxiliary coil L_RV1 and the resonance capacitor C_R are arranged in series with the reception coil L_R1. The switch SW_R is arranged in parallel with the auxiliary coil L_RV1. The control unit 22 controls the on/off operation of the switch SW_R, with a duty ratio d that corresponds to the frequency f₁ of the electric power signal S1.

[0054] The control operations of the control unit 12 and the control unit 22 for the respective switches SW_T and SW_R are each performed in the same way as shown in FIG. 2.

[0055] Directing attention to the wireless power supply apparatus 200a, the inductance of the wireless power supply apparatus 200a is represented by the following Expression (4), using the duty ratio d of the switch SW_T.

L=d·L_TV1+L_T1  (4)

[0056] Thus, the resonance frequency f₀ is represented by the following Expression (5).

f₀=1/{2π√((d·L_TV1+L_T1)·C_T)}  (5)

[0057] The same can be said of the wireless power receiving apparatus 300a.

[0058] As described above, with the wireless power supply system 100a shown in FIG. 4, the resonance capacitance can be adjusted in multiple steps according to the duty ratios of the switches SW_T and SW_R. Thus, such an arrangement provides a reduced number of circuit components. Furthermore, such an arrangement allows a switch with a low breakdown voltage to be employed, like the wireless power supply system 100 shown in FIG. 2.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram which shows a configuration of a wireless power supply system 100b according to a third embodiment.

[0060] A wireless power supply apparatus 200b includes an AC power supply 10, a resonance capacitor C_T1, a transmission coil L_T1, a first auxiliary coil L_T2, a second auxiliary coil L_T3, a first capacitor C_TV1, a second capacitor C_TV2, a switch SW_T, and a control unit 12.

[0061] The first auxiliary coil L_T2 and the resonance capacitor C_T1 are arranged in series with the transmission coil L_T1. The second auxiliary coil L_T3 and the first auxiliary coil L_T2 share a common core, and are configured such that the winding ratio between the second and first auxiliary coils is n:1. The first capacitor C_TV1 and the second capacitor C_TV2 are arranged in series such that they and the second auxiliary coil L_T3 form a closed loop. The switch SW_T is arranged in parallel with the second capacitor C_TV2. The control unit 12 controls the switch SW_T.

[0062] The resonance circuit of the wireless power receiving apparatus 300b is configured in the same way as the resonance circuit of the wireless power supply apparatus 200b.

[0063] With the wireless power supply apparatus 200b shown in FIG. 5, the capacitance C of the resonance circuit is represented by the following Expression (6).

$\begin{array}{cc}C=\frac{C_{T1}·\left(\frac{1-n}{n^2}C_{\mathrm{TV}1}+\frac{\frac{C_{\mathrm{TV}1}}{n}·d\left(C_{\mathrm{TV}2}+\frac{n-1}{n}C_{\mathrm{TV}1}\right)}{\frac{C_{\mathrm{TV}1}}{n}+d\left(C_{\mathrm{TV}2}+\frac{n-1}{n}C_{\mathrm{TV}1}\right)}\right)}{C_{T1}+\left(\frac{1-n}{n^2}C_{\mathrm{TV}1}+\frac{\frac{C_{\mathrm{TV}1}}{n}·d\left(C_{\mathrm{TV}2}+\frac{n-1}{n}C_{\mathrm{TV}1}\right)}{\frac{C_{\mathrm{TV}1}}{n}+d\left(C_{\mathrm{TV}2}+\frac{n-1}{n}C_{\mathrm{TV}1}\right)}\right)}& \left(6\right)\end{array}$

[0064] With the wireless power supply apparatus 200b shown in FIG. 5, the capacitance C, i.e., the resonance frequency, can be adjusted according to the duty ratio d of the switch SW_T. Furthermore, such an arrangement uses transformer conversion by means of the first auxiliary coil L_T2 and the second auxiliary coil L_T3. Thus, such an arrangement provides a reduced voltage applied to the switch SW_T. Thus, such an arrangement allows a switch with a low breakdown voltage to be employed.

[0065] Description has been made regarding the present invention with reference to the embodiments. The above-described embodiments have been described for exemplary purposes only, and are by no means intended to be interpreted restrictively. Rather, various modifications may be made by making various combinations of the aforementioned components or processes. Description will be made below regarding such modifications.

[0066] Description has been made in the embodiments regarding an arrangement in which the wireless power supply apparatus 200 and the wireless power receiving apparatus 300 that are components of the wireless power supply system 100 have the same topology. However, the present invention is not restricted to such an arrangement. That is to say, a wireless power supply apparatus according to a desired one of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined with a wireless power receiving apparatus according to a different one of the aforementioned embodiments. Also, a wireless power supply apparatus according to a desired one of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined with a different wireless power receiving apparatus that is not described in the present specification. In the same way, a wireless power receiving apparatus according to a desired one of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined with a wireless power supply apparatus according to a different one of the aforementioned embodiments. Also, a wireless power receiving apparatus according to a desired one of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined with a different wireless power supply apparatus that is not described in the present specification.

[0067] In FIG. 2, the third capacitor C_T1 and the third capacitor C_R1 may be omitted.

[0068] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.