Power feeding unit, power feeding system, and electronic unit

Abstract

A power feeding unit includes an electricity transmission section configured to perform electricity transmission using one of a magnetic field and an electric field to a power-feeding objective unit having a secondary battery, and an electricity transmission control section configured to control electricity transmission operation of the electricity transmission section. The electricity transmission control section allows the electricity transmission operation to be suspended when charge of the secondary battery is completed based on power provided through the electricity transmission, and allows the electricity transmission operation to be restarted when a predetermined condition is satisfied after completion of the charge.

1 . A power feeding unit, comprising:
 an electricity transmission section configured to perform electricity transmission using one of a magnetic field and an electric field to a power-feeding objective unit having a secondary battery; and   an electricity transmission control section configured to control electricity transmission operation of the electricity transmission section,   wherein the electricity transmission control section allows the electricity transmission operation to be suspended when charge of the secondary battery is completed based on power provided through the electricity transmission, and   allows the electricity transmission operation to be restarted when a predetermined condition is satisfied after completion of the charge.   
     
     
         2 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electricity transmission control section determines whether the condition is satisfied or not based on examination by the electricity transmission control section itself. 
     
     
         3 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the electricity transmission control section makes determination on restart of the electricity transmission operation based on a determination result on whether or not the power-feeding objective unit adjacently exists. 
     
     
         4 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 3 , wherein when the power-feeding objective unit is determined not to adjacently exist, the electricity transmission control section determines that the condition is not satisfied, and does not restart the electricity transmission operation,
 while when the power-feeding objective unit is determined to adjacently exist, the electricity transmission control section acquires unit information on that power-feeding objective unit, and makes determination on restart of the electricity transmission operation based on the unit information.   
     
     
         5 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 4 , wherein the electricity transmission control section uses identification information as the unit information to determine whether or not a power-feeding objective unit that adjacently exists is the same unit as the power-feeding objective unit of which the charge is completed, and makes determination on restart of the electricity transmission operation based on a result of the determination. 
     
     
         6 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 5 , wherein when the power-feeding objective unit that adjacently exists is determined not to be the same unit, the electricity transmission control section newly starts the electricity transmission operation to that power-feeding objective unit,
 while when the power-feeding objective unit that adjacently exists is determined to be the same unit, the electricity transmission control section makes determination on restart of the electricity transmission operation.   
     
     
         7 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the electricity transmission control section uses one or both of start situation information as unit information on the power-feeding objective unit and power remaining quantity information of the secondary battery to make determination on restart of the electricity transmission operation. 
     
     
         8 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 7 , wherein when the power-feeding objective unit is determined to be started based on the start situation information, or when the power remaining quantity of the secondary battery is determined to be smaller than a predetermined threshold based on the power remaining quantity information, the electricity transmission control section determines that the condition is satisfied, and allows the electricity transmission operation to be restarted,
 while when the power-feeding objective unit is determined not to be started based on the start situation information, or when the power remaining quantity is determined to be equal to or larger than the threshold based on the power remaining quantity information, the electricity transmission control section determines that the condition is not satisfied, and allows the electricity transmission operation to be not restarted.   
     
     
         9 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 8 , wherein when the power-feeding objective unit is determined not to be started, and when the power remaining quantity is determined to be equal to or larger than the threshold, the electricity transmission control section determines that the condition is not satisfied, and allows the electricity transmission operation to be not restarted. 
     
     
         10 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electricity transmission control section determines whether the condition is satisfied or not depending on whether or not notification of request of restart of the electricity transmission is provided from the power-feeding objective unit. 
     
     
         11 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 10 , wherein the notification of request of restart of the electricity transmission from the power-feeding objective unit is provided as a response to an inquiry from the power feeding unit on whether the condition is satisfied or not. 
     
     
         12 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electricity transmission control section determines whether the condition is satisfied or not using intercommunication with the power-feeding objective unit. 
     
     
         13 . The power feeding unit according to  claim 12 , wherein the communication is performed at a lower frequency in a period after completion of the charge than in a period before completion of the charge. 
     
     
         14 . A power feeding system, comprising:
 one or more electronic units each including a secondary battery; and   a power feeding unit configured to perform electricity transmission to the electronic units using one of a magnetic field and an electric field,   wherein the power feeding unit includes:   an electricity transmission section that performs electricity transmission; and   an electricity transmission control section that controls electricity transmission operation of the electricity transmission section,   wherein the electricity transmission control section allows the electricity transmission operation to be suspended when charge of the secondary battery is completed based on power provided through the electricity transmission, and   allows the electricity transmission operation to be restarted when a predetermined condition is satisfied after completion of the charge.   
     
     
         15 . An electronic unit, comprising:
 an electricity reception section configured to receive power from a power feeding unit, the power being provided through electricity transmission using one of a magnetic field and an electric field;   a secondary battery configured to be charged based on the power received by the electricity reception section; and   a control section configured to perform predetermined control,   wherein when charge of the secondary battery is completed and the electricity transmission is suspended, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control section notifies the power feeding unit of request of restart of the electricity transmission.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the control section provides notification of request of restart of the electricity transmission as a response to an inquiry from the power feeding unit on whether the condition is satisfied or not. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the control section determines whether the condition is satisfied or not based on one or more of a determination result on whether its own unit exists adjacent to the power feeding unit or not, a determination result on whether the own unit is started or not, and a determination result on whether or not the power remaining quantity of the secondary battery is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold.