ROTARY TYPE MAGNETIC COUPLING DEVICE

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a rotary type magnetic coupling device including first and second coils magnetically coupled to each other used for a rotator. Each of the first and second coils is a loop-shaped having an opening surrounding a rotary axis of the rotator. Each of the first and second coils includes first and second wiring parts extending in a peripheral direction of the rotator, a third wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from one end of the first and second wiring parts, and a fourth wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from other end of the first and second wiring parts. At least one of the first and second coils is configured such that the third and fourth wiring parts match or overlap each other when viewed in a radial direction substantially orthogonal to the rotary axis.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rotary type magnetic coupling device and, more particularly, to a device that transmits electric power or a signal to a rotator by wireless.

Description of Related Art

Rotary type power transmission devices used for electric power transmission to a rotator are suitably used for power supply to, e.g., a multi-axis industrial robot arm, a monitoring camera, a device on a rotary stage, and the like. Conventionally, a contact-type slip ring is used in the rotary type power transmission devices. The slip ring is a mechanism that transmits electric power to a rotary side by bringing a brush provided in a fixed side into contact with a sliding surface of a metal ring installed in the rotary side.

However, energizing is performed by sliding the contact part in the above contact type, so that the contact part is abraded, which may result in failing to perform power transmission. Therefore, a non-contact type wireless power transmission system is now attracting attention.

JP 2007-208201A describes a non-contact type power supply device having a power receiving coil provided in a rotator and a power feeding coil provided opposite to the power receiving coil and configured to supply electric power from the power feeding coil to the power receiving coil in a non-contact manner utilizing electromagnetic induction action excited by a change in current flowing in the power feeding coil. In this device, the power feeding coil and power receiving coil each have a long loop shape, and conducting wires running opposite to each other in each of the power feeding and power receiving coils are positioned so as to surround the axis of the rotator at the same side relative thereto.

In the technology disclosed in JP 2007-208201A, however, there exists a gap between conducting wires each connecting the upper-side conducting wire and lower-side conducting wire in each of power feeding and power receiving coils, so that the amount of magnetic flux that intersects the power receiving coil is changed with a change in the rotational direction position of the power feeding coil relative to the power receiving coil, resulting in failing to obtain stable output characteristics.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator capable of obtaining stable output characteristics even when the positional relationship between coils is changed in accordance with the rotation amount of the rotator.

To solve the above problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator, the magnetic coupling device including a first coil and a second coil disposed so as to be magnetically coupled to the first coil. The first and second coils are each a loop coil disposed such that the opening thereof surrounds the rotary axis of the rotator. The loop coil has first and second wiring parts extending in the peripheral direction of the rotator, a third wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from one end of the first wiring part or one end of the second wiring part, and a fourth wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from the other end of the first wiring part or the other end of the second wiring part. At least one of the first and second coils is configured such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the entire configuration of a rotary type magnetic coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the rotary type magnetic coupling device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the rotary type magnetic coupling device shown in FIG. 2 is divided into the power transmitting unit and the power receiving unit;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the power transmitting unit and power receiving unit of the rotary type magnetic coupling device shown in FIG. 3 are assembled to each other;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views each illustrating the configuration of the signal transmitting coil;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the signal receiving coil;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are views each illustrating an example of a combination of the signal transmitting coil and the signal receiving coil;

FIG. 7D is a graph illustrating a variation in the output of the signal receiving coil when the signal transmitting coil illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C is rotated by 360°;

FIGS. 8A to 8F are detailed explanatory views each illustrating the positional relationship between the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part constituting the respective turnover parts at the both ends of the signal receiving coil in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a magnetic coupling state between the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil;

FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a magnetic coupling state between the signal transmitting coil and the signal receiving coil;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views illustrating a first modification of the signal receiving coil, where FIG. 10A is a developed plan view, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view;

FIGS. 11A to 11C are views illustrating a second modification of the signal receiving coil, where FIG. 11A is a developed plan view, FIG. 11B is a perspective view, and FIG. 11C is a perspective view illustrating a comparison example;

FIGS. 12A to 12C are plan views of a third modification of the signal receiving coil, which illustrate pattern layouts of respective layer constituting a multilayer coil; and

FIGS. 13A to 13C are perspective views of modifications of a combination of the signal transmitting coil and the signal receiving coil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the entire configuration of a rotary type magnetic coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 is constituted of a combination of a power transmitting unit 1A and a power receiving unit 1B. The rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 is configured to transmit electric power from the power transmitting unit 1A to the power receiving unit 1B by wireless.

The power transmitting unit 1A includes a power transmitting circuit 110, a power transmitting coil 6, a signal receiving coil 9, and a control circuit 150. The power transmitting circuit 110 converts an input DC voltage into an AC voltage of, e.g., 100 kHz and outputs it. The power transmitting coil 6 generates an AC magnetic flux using the AC voltage. The signal receiving coil 9 receives an AC signal transmitted from the power receiving unit 1B. The control circuit 150 controls the AC voltage output from the power transmitting circuit 110 based on the AC signal received by the signal receiving coil 9.

The power receiving unit 1B includes a power receiving coil 7, a power receiving circuit 120, a signal generating circuit 140, and a signal transmitting coil 8. The power receiving coil 7 receives at least a part of the AC magnetic flux generated by the power transmitting coil 6 to generate an AC voltage. The power receiving circuit 120 converts the AC voltage generated in the power receiving coil 7 into a DC voltage of, e.g., 24 V. The signal generating circuit 140 generates an AC signal representing the magnitude of an output voltage or an output current of the power receiving circuit 120. The signal transmitting coil 8 transmits the AC signal to the signal receiving coil 9. The output voltage of the power receiving circuit 120 is supplied to, e.g., a load 130.

The power transmitting circuit 110 includes a power supply circuit 111 and a voltage converting circuit 112. The power supply circuit 111 converts an input DC voltage into a predetermined DC voltage. The voltage converting circuit 112 converts the predetermined DC voltage output from the power supply circuit 111 into an AC voltage of, e.g., 100 kHz. The control circuit 150 controls the magnitude of the predetermined DC voltage to be output from the power supply circuit 111 based on the AC signal received by the signal receiving coil 9 to thereby control the AC voltage output from the power transmitting circuit 110.

The signal generating circuit 140 includes an oscillating circuit 141 and a power supply voltage generating circuit 142. The oscillating circuit 141 outputs an AC signal of, e.g., 10 MHz. The power supply voltage generating circuit 142 generates a power supply voltage for the oscillating circuit 141 in accordance with the magnitude of the output voltage or output current of the power receiving circuit 120. The power supply voltage generating circuit 142 controls the power supply voltage for the oscillating circuit 141 based on a difference between the output voltage or output current of the power receiving circuit 120 and a target value.

As described above, an output from the power receiving unit 1B is fed back to the power transmitting unit 1A through the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9, whereby the output power from the power receiving unit 1B can be controlled to be constant.

In the present embodiment, the frequency of the AC voltage for power transmission is 100 kHz, while the frequency of the AC signal for signal transmission is 10 MHz which is 100 times the frequency of the AC voltage for power transmission. The frequency of the AC signal for signal transmission is preferably equal to or more than 10 times the frequency of the AC voltage for power transmission. When the frequency of the AC signal for signal transmission is equal to or more than 10 times the frequency of the AC voltage for power transmission, it is possible to prevent a harmonic of the AC voltage for power transmission from distorting an output signal waveform as noise for the AC signal, thereby avoiding interference between the power transmission side and the signal transmission side, which can ensure transmission quality of the AC signal.

In the present embodiment, a combination of the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 constitutes a rotary transformer T_P of a power system incorporated in a rotator, and a combination of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 constitutes a rotary transformer T_S of a signal system incorporated in the same rotator as that incorporates the power system rotary transformer T_P.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is divided into the power transmitting unit 1A and the power receiving unit 1B. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the power transmitting unit 1A and power receiving unit 1B of the rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 shown in FIG. 3 are assembled to each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 includes a rotary bobbin 3 mounted to a flange part 2a of a rotary shaft 2 as a rotator and configured to be rotated together with the rotary shaft 2, a fixed bobbin 5 mounted to a support member 4 as a non-rotary body and configured not to be rotated together with the rotary shaft 2, the power transmitting coil 6 and the signal receiving coil 9 which are provided in the fixed bobbin 5, the power receiving coil 7 and the signal transmitting coil 8 which are provided in the rotary bobbin 3, a power transmitting circuit board 11a connected to the power transmitting coil 6 and the signal receiving coil 9, and a power receiving circuit board 11b connected to the power receiving coil 7 and the signal transmitting coil 8. In the present embodiment, the rotary shaft 2 is made of metal and penetrates the center portions of the respective rotary bobbin 3 and fixed bobbin 5.

The rotary bobbin 3 and the fixed bobbin 5 are made of resin and have cup shapes that can be fitted to each other. Specifically, the rotary bobbin 3 has a cup shape having an opening facing downward, and the fixed bobbin 5 has a cup shape having an opening facing upward. The rotary bobbin 3 is freely rotatably fitted to the fixed bobbin 5 and integrated with the fixed bobbin 5 in appearance. The fixed bobbin 5 is fixed to the support member 4 and is thus not rotated together with the rotary shaft 2. The positional relationship between the fixed bobbin 5 and the rotary bobbin 3 in the vertical direction is set conveniently in this example and may be reversed.

The rotary bobbin 3 and the fixed bobbin 5 each have a double cylindrical side-wall structure. Specifically, the rotary bobbin 3 has a circular upper surface part 3a (main surface part), a cylindrical outer side-surface part 3b provided inside the outermost periphery of the upper surface part 3a in the radial direction, and an inner side-surface part 3c provided inside the outer side-surface part 3b in the radial direction. The fixed bobbin 5 has a circular bottom surface part 5a (main surface part), an outer side-surface part 5b provided slightly inside the outermost periphery of the bottom surface part 5a in the radial direction, and an inner side-surface part 5c provided inside the outer side-surface part 5b in the radial direction. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in a state where the rotary bobbin 3 is fitted to the fixed bobbin 5, the outer side-surface part 3b and the inner side-surface part 3c of the rotary bobbin 3 are disposed in a space between the outer side-surface part 5b and the inner side-surface part 5c of the fixed bobbin 5.

The power transmitting coil 6 is composed of a conducting wire wound in multiple around the outer peripheral surface of the outer side-surface part 5b of the fixed bobbin 5, and the power receiving coil 7 is composed of a conducting wire wound in multiple around the outer side-surface part 3b of the rotary bobbin 3. Using a conductive wire having a certain degree of thickness for the power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 enables wireless transmission of a large amount of power.

The power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 are disposed coaxially with the rotary shaft 2 so as to surround the rotary shaft 2. In the present embodiment, the power receiving coil 7 is concentrically disposed inside the power transmitting coil 6 in the radial direction; however, the power receiving coil 7 may be concentrically disposed outside the power transmitting coil 6 in the radial direction. The opening of the power transmitting coil 6 faces the extending direction (rotary axis Z-direction) of the rotary shaft 2, and the opening of the power receiving coil 7 also faces the extending direction (rotary axis direction) of the rotary shaft 2, so that the direction of a coil axis of the power receiving coil 7 and the direction of a coil axis of the power transmitting coil 6 coincide with each other. Thus, the opening of the power receiving coil 7 overlaps the opening of the power transmitting coil 6, whereby strong magnetic coupling is generated between the power receiving coil 7 and the power transmitting coil 6.

The signal transmitting coil 8 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner side-surface part 3c of the rotary bobbin 3. The signal receiving coil 9 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner side-surface part 5c of the fixed bobbin 5. The signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 are disposed coaxially with the rotary shaft 2 such that the openings thereof surround the rotary shaft 2. In the present embodiment, the signal receiving coil 9 is concentrically disposed inside the signal transmitting coil 8 in the radial direction; however, the signal receiving coil 9 may be concentrically disposed outside the signal transmitting coil 8 in the radial direction. With the above configuration, the coil axes of the respective signal transmitting coil 8 and signal receiving coil 9 radially extend in the radial direction of the rotator, and the opening of the signal receiving coil 9 overlaps the opening of the signal transmitting coil 8 in the radial direction.

Magnetic members (ferrite cores) are provided inside and outside the rotary bobbin 3 and fixed bobbin 5. Specifically, the magnetic members include an intermediate magnetic member 10a provided so as to overlap the signal transmitting coil 8 on the inner side-surface part 3c of the rotary bobbin 3, an inner magnetic member 10b provided at a position inside (inside the inner side-surface part 5c of the fixed bobbin 5) the signal transmitting coil 8 and signal receiving coil 9 in the radial direction and between the signal transmitting and signal receiving coils 8 and 9 and the rotary shaft 2, an outer magnetic member 10c provided so as to overlap the power transmitting coil 6 on the outer side-surface part 5b of the fixed bobbin 5, an upper surface magnetic member 10d covering the upper surface part 3a of the rotary bobbin 3, and a bottom surface magnetic member 10e covering the bottom surface part 5a of the fixed bobbin 5.

The intermediate magnetic member 10a (first magnetic member) is disposed between the power system rotary transformer T_P constituted of a combination of the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 and signal system rotary transformer T_S constituted of a combination of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 and configured to magnetically isolate the rotary transformers T_P and T_S. With this configuration, the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 as well as the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 are magnetically shielded from each other, whereby mutual influence between power transmission and signal transmission can be reduced further.

The inner magnetic member 10b (second magnetic member) is disposed inside the signal receiving coil 9 disposed at the innermost periphery in the radial direction. Particularly, the inner magnetic member 10b is disposed between the rotary shaft 2 and the signal receiving coil 9 so as to surround the rotary shaft 2. With this configuration, even when the metal rotary shaft 2 is disposed near the signal system rotary transformer T_S constituted of a combination of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9, it is possible to reduce an eddy current loss caused due to intersection of magnetic flux generated by the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 with the rotary shaft 2.

The outer magnetic member 10c (third magnetic member) is disposed outside the power transmitting coil 6 disposed at the outermost periphery in the radial direction. With this configuration, even when a metal member is disposed near the power system rotary transformer T_P constituted of a combination of the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7, it is possible to reduce an eddy current loss caused due to intersection of magnetic flux generated by the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 with the metal member.

The upper surface magnetic member 10d and the bottom surface magnetic member 10e (which are fourth magnetic members) constitute a magnetic cover that covers the entire cylindrical case constituted of the rotary bobbin 3 and fixed bobbin 5 together with the outer magnetic member 10c. With this configuration, a magnetic path can be formed at both sides of the four coils in the rotary axis direction, thereby forming both a closed magnetic path of magnetic flux generated by the power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 and a closed magnetic path of magnetic flux generated by the signal transmitting coil 8 and signal receiving coil 9. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce an electric power loss and a signal loss.

The power receiving circuit board 11b is mounted to the upper surface part 3a of the rotary bobbin 3 with an intervention of the upper surface magnetic member 10d. One and the other ends of the power receiving coil 7 are connected to the power receiving circuit board 11b. In order to realize such connections, a wiring slit or a through hole is preferably formed in the upper surface part 3a of the rotary bobbin 3 and/or the upper surface magnetic member 10d.

The power transmitting circuit board 11a is mounted to the bottom surface part 5a of the fixed bobbin 5 with an intervention of the bottom surface magnetic member 10e. One and the other ends of the power transmitting coil 6 are connected to the power transmitting circuit board 11a. In order to realize such connections, a wiring slit or a through hole is preferably formed in the bottom surface part 5a of the fixed bobbin 5 and/or the bottom surface magnetic member 10e.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 constituting the power system rotary transformer T_P are concentrically disposed outside the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 constituting the signal system rotary transformer T_S in the radial direction. With this configuration, as compared to a case where the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 are disposed outside the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 in the radial direction, the opening sizes (loop sizes) of the respective power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 can be made larger, thus making it possible to obtain stronger magnetic coupling. Further, with this configuration, the inductances of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 can be increased. Thus, it is possible to achieve non-contact transmission of a larger amount of power while reducing the size of the entire rotary transformer.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views each illustrating the configuration of the signal transmitting coil 8. FIG. 5A is a developed plan view, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the signal transmitting coil 8 is obtained by printing a conductor pattern on the surface layer or inner layer of an elongated, flexible substrate 13 (insulating film) having a substantially rectangular shape. The flexible substrate 13 need not have a complete rectangular shape, but a part of the outer periphery thereof may be protruded or recessed.

The signal transmitting coil 8 according to the present embodiment is a one-turn loop coil and formed so as to draw the largest possible loop along the outer periphery of the flexible substrate 13. Specifically, the signal transmitting coil 8 includes a first wiring part 8a extending along one long side 13a of the flexible substrate 13, a second wiring part 8b extending along the other long side 13b, a third wiring part 8c extending along one short side 13c, and a fourth wiring part 8d extending along the other short side 13d. In this example, the third wiring part 8c, first wiring part 8a, fourth wiring part 8d, and second wiring part 8b are continuously formed in this order. The third wiring part 8c serves as one turnover part of the loop coil which is positioned at one end 13e₁ side of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction, and the fourth wiring part 8d serves as the other turnover part of the loop coil which is positioned at the other end 13e₂ side of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction. The one and the other ends 8e₁ and 8e₂ of the signal transmitting coil 8 are connected to the power receiving circuit board 11b through an unillustrated lead wire.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the flexible substrate 13 on which the signal transmitting coil 8 is formed is rolled so as to surround the rotary axis Z to form a cylindrical body. The one end 13e₁ of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the other end 13e₂, whereby the third wiring part 8c is disposed in proximity to the fourth wiring part 8d. The signal transmitting coil 8 is formed into a cylindrical surface, so that the first wiring part 8a and the second wiring part 8b extend in the circumferential direction, while the third wiring part 8c and the fourth wiring part 8d extend in parallel to the rotary axis Z.

The signal transmitting coil 8 is circulated clockwise around the rotary axis Z from the one end 13e₁ side of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction, turned over at the other end 13e₂ side of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction, circulated counterclockwise around the rotary axis Z, and returned to the one end 13e₁ side of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the third wiring part 8c extending in the rotary axis direction constitutes a one-end side bent part of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction, and the fourth wiring part 8d extending in the rotary axis direction constitutes the other-end side bent part of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction.

It is sufficient that the third wiring part 8c is turned over in the direction of rotary axis Z from the one end of the first wiring part 8a or one end of the second wiring part 8b, and that the fourth wiring part 8d is turned over in the direction rotary axis Z from the other end of the first wiring part 8a or the other end of the second wiring part 8b. That is, the third wiring part 8c and fourth wiring part 8d need not extend in parallel to the rotary axis Z. In other words, the third wiring part 8c and fourth wiring part 8d may extend obliquely with respect to the rotary axis Z.

In the present embodiment, the third wiring part 8c is disposed in proximity to the fourth wiring part 8d; however, they do not overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis Z (that is, when viewed from above the cylindrical surface) and do not even contact each other. Accordingly, a gap G is formed between the bent part at the one end side of the loop coil formed on the cylindrical surface in the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) and the bent part at the other end side of the loop coil. While a pair of terminals (8e₁ and 8e₂) face downward in the signal transmitting coil 8 illustrated in FIG. 5B, the signal transmitting coil 8 is installed upside down at the time of use such that the pair of terminals face upward as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The basic configuration of the signal receiving coil 9 is the same as that of the signal transmitting coil 8 but differs therefrom in that the flexible substrate 13 of the signal receiving coil 9 is rolled to a smaller size so as to be positioned inside the signal transmitting coil 8 and that the turnover parts at the both sides of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction match each other or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis Z.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the signal receiving coil 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the flexible substrate 13 of the signal receiving coil 9 is rolled so as to surround the rotary axis Z to form a cylindrical body. The one end 13e₁ of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the other end 13e₂, whereby a third wiring part 9c is disposed in proximity to a fourth wiring part 9d. The signal receiving coil 9 is formed into a cylindrical surface, so that a first wiring part 9a and a second wiring part 9b extend in the circumferential direction, while the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d extend in parallel to the rotary axis Z. The third wiring part 9c extending in the rotary axis direction constitutes the one-end side bent part of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction, and the fourth wiring part 9d extending in the rotary axis direction constitutes the other-end side bent part of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction. The one and the other ends 9e₁ and 9e₂ of the signal receiving coil 9 are connected to the power transmitting circuit board 11a through an unillustrated lead wire.

In the present embodiment, the one end 13e₁ of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction significantly overlaps the other end 13e₂, so that the third wiring part 9c overlaps the fourth wiring part 9d when viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis Z, with the result that no gap exists between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d. Thus, substantially the entire periphery of the cylindrical body excluding the formation region of the third and fourth wiring parts 9c and 9d can be made into the formation region of the opening of the loop coil, making it possible to maximize the opening size of the signal receiving coil 9.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are views each illustrating an example of a combination of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9. FIG. 7A illustrates a case where the turnover parts at the both ends of the signal receiving coil 9 in the longitudinal direction overlap each other, and FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate a case where the bent parts at the both ends of the signal receiving coil 9 in the longitudinal direction do not overlap each other. In any of FIGS. 7A to 7C, the bent parts at the both ends of the signal transmitting coil 8 in the longitudinal direction do not overlap each other, and the gap G is formed between the bent parts. FIG. 7D is a graph illustrating a variation in the output level of the signal receiving coil 9 when the signal transmitting coil 8 illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C is rotated by 360°, wherein the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle of the signal transmitting coil 8 with respect to the signal receiving coil 9, and the vertical axis represents an output voltage (mV). In FIG. 7D, a line (a) shows a characteristic of the configuration of FIG. 7A, a line (b) shows a characteristic of the configuration of FIG. 7B, a line (c) shows a characteristic of the configuration of FIG. 7C. The position (reference angle) at which the rotation angle represented by the horizontal axis is 0° corresponds to a position at which the gap G of the signal transmitting coil 8 overlaps the overlapping portion between the bent parts of the signal receiving coil 9 or the gap G of the signal receiving coil 9.

When the end portions of the flexible substrate 13 of the signal receiving coil 9 in the longitudinal direction do not overlap each other at all as illustrated in FIG. 7B, or when the end portions of the flexible substrate 13 of the signal receiving coil 9 in the longitudinal direction overlap a little each other, the bent parts of the signal receiving coil 9 do not overlap when viewed from above the cylindrical surface, so that the gap G is formed between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d. In this case, magnetic coupling temporarily strengthens at a timing when the gap G of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the gap G of the signal receiving coil 9 overlap each other. Thus, at this timing, the reception sensitivity of the signal receiving coil 9 becomes high, resulting in a variation in the output level of a signal voltage. Such a variation acts as noise against power control.

Even when the end portions of the flexible substrate 13 of the signal receiving coil 9 in the longitudinal direction overlap significantly each other as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the bent parts of the signal receiving coil 9 do not overlap each other when viewed from above the cylindrical surface, so that the gap G is formed between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d. In this case, as above, a variation in the output level of a signal voltage occurs at a timing when the gap G of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the gap G of the signal receiving coil 9 overlap each other. In the case of FIG. 7C, the output voltage becomes lower than that in the case of FIG. 7B as a whole.

On the other hand, when the gap G does not exist between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d of the signal receiving coil 9 as illustrated in FIG. 7A, a change in the overlapping area between the openings of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 can be suppressed even when the signal transmitting coil 8 is rotated by 360° as illustrated in FIG. 7D to change the positional relationship between the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9, thereby making it possible to reduce a variation in the output level of a signal voltage from the signal receiving coil 9. Therefore, in a rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator, stable output characteristics can be obtained even when the positional relationship between coils is changed in accordance with the rotation amount of the rotator.

FIGS. 8A to 8F are detailed explanatory views each illustrating the positional relationship between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d constituting the respective turnover parts at the both ends of the signal receiving coil 9 in the longitudinal direction.

When the distance between an outer edge Ec₁ of the third wiring part 9c of the signal receiving coil 9 and an outer edge Ed₁ of the fourth wiring part 9d is large as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the gap G is formed between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d, so that the above-mentioned output level variation associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8 occurs. Further, when the third wiring part 9c of the signal receiving coil 9 goes over the fourth wiring part 9d (significantly overlaps the fourth wiring part 9d) as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the gap G is formed between an inner edge Ec₂ of the third wiring part 9c and an inner edge Ed₂ of the fourth wiring part 9d, so that the above-mentioned output level variation associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8 occurs.

On the other hand, when a part of the third wiring part 9c of the signal receiving coil 9 overlaps a part of the fourth wiring part 9d as illustrated in FIGS. 8C and 8D, the gap G is not formed between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d, so that the above-mentioned output level variation associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8 does not occur. The same can be said for a case where the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d completely overlap each other.

Further, even in a case where the third wiring part 9c of the signal receiving coil 9 and the fourth wiring part 9d do not overlap each other, when the outer edge Ec₁ of the third wiring part 9c and the outer edge Ed₁ of the fourth wiring part 9d match each other as illustrated in FIG. 8E, the gap G is not formed between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d, so that the above-mentioned output level variation associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8 does not occur.

Further, even in a case where the third wiring part 9c of the signal receiving coil 9 and the fourth wiring part 9d do not overlap each other, when the inner edge Ec₂ of the third wiring part 9c and the inner edge Ed₂ of the fourth wiring part 9d match each other as illustrated in FIG. 8F, the gap G is not formed between the third wiring part 9c and the fourth wiring part 9d, so that the above-mentioned output level variation associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8 does not occur.

As described above, when the turnover parts of the loop coil positioned on the both ends of the signal receiving coil 9 in the longitudinal direction match or overlap each other, a variation in the output voltage of the signal receiving coil 9 associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8 can be suppressed.

FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a magnetic coupling state between the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7, and FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a magnetic coupling state between the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the openings of the respective power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 constituting the power system rotary transformer T_P open in the direction of the rotary axis Z, and the direction of a magnetic flux φ₁ intersecting the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 is parallel to the rotary axis Z as denoted by the arrow D₁.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the openings of the respective signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 constituting the signal system rotary transformer T_S open in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis Z, and a magnetic flux φ₂ intersecting the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 is directed in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis Z as denoted by the arrow D₂. As described above, the direction of the magnetic flux φ₁ is orthogonal to the direction of the magnetic flux φ₂, so that it is possible to minimize influence that the magnetic flux of one of the power system and signal system has on the magnetic flux of the other one of them.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views illustrating a first modification of the signal receiving coil 9. FIG. 10A is a developed plan view, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the signal receiving coil 9 of the first modification is a cylindrical body obtained by forming a loop coil along the outer periphery of the very long flexible substrate 13 and rolling the flexible substrate 13 in multiple (in this example, double). The number of windings of the flexible substrate 13 is not especially limited. When the signal receiving coil 9 as illustrated in FIG. 6 is formed, the overlapping degree between the both ends of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction is adjusted so as not to form the gap G between the third wiring part 9c constituting the one-end side bent part of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction and the fourth wiring part 9d constituting the other-end side bent part. According to the thus configured signal receiving coil 9, the inductance of the loop coil can be increased to strengthen magnetic coupling.

When the signal receiving coil 9 is formed into a cylindrical body obtained by rolling the flexible substrate 13 in multiple, the number of windings is preferably made equal between the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9. When the signal transmitting coil 8 as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B is formed, the overlapping degree between the both ends of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction is adjusted so as to form the gap G between the third wiring part 9c constituting the one end side turnover part of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction and the fourth wiring part 9d constituting the other-end side bent part.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are views illustrating a second modification of the signal receiving coil 9. FIG. 11A is a developed plan view, FIG. 11B is a perspective view, and FIG. 11C is a perspective view illustrating a comparison example.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the signal receiving coil 9 may be formed as a planar spiral coil including a loop coil of a plurality of turns (in this example, three turns). Specifically, the first turn of the planar spiral coil includes a first wiring part 9a₁, a second wiring part 9b₁, a third wiring part 9c₁, and a fourth wiring part 9d₁; the second turn includes a first wiring part 9a₂, a second wiring part 9b₂, a third wiring part 9c₂, and a fourth wiring part 9d₂; and the third turn includes a first wiring part 9a₃, a second wiring part 9b₃, a third wiring part 9c₃, and a fourth wiring part 9d₃. The second wiring part 9b₃ of the third turn is connected to a terminal 9e₂ through a through hole conductor 9t and a lead-out conductor 9f. The number of turns of the planar spiral coil is not especially limited.

As illustrated in FIG. 11B, when the signal receiving coil 9 is formed as a planar spiral coil of three turns, a set of three third wiring parts 9c₁, 9c₂, and 9c₃ and a set of three fourth wiring parts 9d₁, 9d₂, and 9d₃ preferably overlap each other completely or match each other. For example, when only the third wiring part 9c₁ of the first turn and the fourth wiring part 9d₁ of the first turn overlap each other as illustrated in FIG. 11C, a change in the overlapping area between the openings of the signal transmitting coil 8 and signal receiving coil 9 is large, so that a variation in the output voltage associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8 cannot be suppressed sufficiently. However, when a set of three third wiring parts and a set of three fourth wiring parts overlap each other completely, it is possible to suppress a variation in the output level of a signal voltage associated with rotation of the signal transmitting coil 8.

When the signal receiving coil 9 is formed as a planar spiral coil as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the signal transmitting coil 8 also is preferably formed as a planar spiral coil of the same number of turns as that of the signal receiving coil 9. In this case, the signal transmitting coil 8 may be configured such that only the third wiring part 9c₁ of the first turn and the fourth wiring part 9d₁ of the first turn overlap each other as illustrated in FIG. 11C, and further such that three third wiring parts 9c₁, 9c₂, and 9c₃ and three fourth wiring parts 9d₁, 9d₂, and 9d₃ do not overlap at all.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are plan views of a third modification of the signal receiving coil 9, which illustrate pattern layouts of respective layer constituting a multilayer coil.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the signal receiving coil 9 may be a multilayer coil in which loop coils are formed in a layered manner so as to overlap each other in the lamination direction. Specifically, a loop coil of a first turn on a first layer 13L₁ includes a first wiring part 9a₁, a second wiring pattern 9b₁, a third wiring pattern 9c₁, and a fourth wiring pattern 9d₁; a loop coil of a second turn on a second layer 13L₂ includes a first wiring part 9a₂, a second wiring pattern 9b₂, a third wiring pattern 9c₂, and a fourth wiring pattern 9d₂; and a loop coil of a third turn on a third layer 13L₃ includes a first wiring part 9a₃, a second wiring pattern 9b₃, a third wiring pattern 9c₃, and a fourth wiring pattern 9d₃. The end portions of the loop coils of the respective first and second turns are connected to each other through a first through hole conductor 9t₁, and end portions of the loop coils of the respective second and third turns are connected to each other through a second through hole conductor 9t₂. Further, the terminal end of the loop coil of the third turn is connected to a terminal 9e₂ through a third through hole conductor 9t₃ and a lead-out conductor 9f.

When the signal receiving coil 9 is formed as a multilayer coil as illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the signal transmitting coil 8 also is preferably formed as a multilayer coil of the same number of turns as that of the signal receiving coil 9. In this case, in the signal transmitting coil 8, the overlapping degree between the both ends of the flexible substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction is adjusted so as to form the gap G between the third wiring parts 9c₁, 9c₂, and 9c₃ and the fourth wiring parts 9d₁, 9d₂, and 9d₃ constituting the bent parts at the both ends of the loop coil in the longitudinal direction.

As described above, in the rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 according to the present embodiment, the power transmitting coil 6 (first coil) and the power receiving coil 7 (second coil) are disposed so as to circle around the rotary axis Z of a rotator, and openings of the respective signal transmitting coil 8 (third coil) and signal receiving coil 9 (fourth coil) surround the rotary axis Z of the rotator. Thus, even when the rotator is rotated, it is possible to achieve both power transmission from the power transmitting coil 6 to the power receiving coil 7 and signal transmission from the signal transmitting coil 8 to the signal receiving coil 9. In addition, the openings of the respective power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 open in the direction of the rotary axis Z, and the openings of the respective signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 open in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis Z, so that the coil axes of the respective power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 and coil axes of the respective signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 are orthogonal to each other, with the result that the direction of the magnetic flux φ₁ intersecting the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 can be orthogonal to the direction of the magnetic flux φ₂ intersecting the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9. Thus, in the rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator, it is possible to reduce influence that one of power transmission and signal transmission has on the other one of them.

Further, in the rotary type magnetic coupling device according to the present embodiment, the signal transmitting coil 8 (third coil) and the signal receiving coil 9 (fourth coil) are each a loop coil whose opening surrounds the rotary axis Z of a rotator. The loop coil includes the first and second wiring parts (8a, 8b or 9a, 9b) extending in the peripheral direction of the rotator, the third wiring part (8c or 9c) bent in a direction parallel to the rotary axis Z from one end of the first wiring part (8a or 9a) or second wiring part (8b or 9b), and the fourth wiring part (8d or 9d) bent in a direction parallel to the rotary axis Z from the other end of the first wiring part (8a or 9a) or second wiring part (8b or 9b), and the third wiring part and fourth wiring part of at least one of the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis Z. With the above configuration, even when the positional relationship between the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 is changed in association with rotation of the rotator, a change in the overlapping area between the openings of the respective signal transmitting coil 8 and signal receiving coil 9 can be suppressed, which in turn can suppress a change in a transmission ratio between the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9. Thus, in the rotary type magnetic coupling device 1 used for a rotator, it is possible to obtain stable power or signal output characteristics regardless of rotation of the rotator.

It is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified and changed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the signal transmitting coil 8 has the gap G, while the signal receiving coil 9 does not have the gap G, as illustrated in FIG. 13A; however, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, a configuration may be possible in which the signal transmitting coil 8 does not have the gap G, while the signal receiving coil 9 has the gap G. Further, a configuration may also be possible in which neither the signal transmitting coil 8 nor the signal receiving coil 9 has the gap G. When neither the signal transmitting coil 8 nor the signal receiving coil 9 has the gap G as illustrated in FIG. 13C, a change in the overlapping area between the openings of the respective signal transmitting coil 8 and signal receiving coil 9 can be suppressed sufficiently. This can further suppress a variation in the output voltage of the signal receiving coil 9 associated with rotation of a rotator and can strengthen magnetic coupling between the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 to thereby further improve transmission efficiency.

Further, in the above embodiment, the rotary transformer constituted of the coils 6 and 7 is used for power transmission, and the rotary transformer constituted of the coils 8 and 9 is used for signal transmission; however, both the rotary transformer constituted of the coils 6 and 7 and the rotary transformer constituted of the coils 8 and 9 may be used for power transmission. Further, both the rotary transformer constituted of the coils 6 and 7 and the rotary transformer constituted of the coils 8 and 9 may be used for signal transmission.

Further, in the above embodiment, the power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 constituting the power system rotary transformer T_P are disposed outside the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 constituting the signal system rotary transformer T_S in the radial direction of a rotator; however, the power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 may be disposed inside the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 in the radial direction. However, when the power transmitting coil 6 and the power receiving coil 7 are disposed outside the signal transmitting coil 8 and the signal receiving coil 9 in the radial direction, the opening sizes of the respective power transmitting coil 6 and power receiving coil 7 can be made larger, thereby allowing transmission of a larger amount of power.

Further, in the above embodiment, the intermediate magnetic member 10a is a single magnetic member that provides a common magnetic path for the power system and signal system; however, the intermediate magnetic member 10a may be divided into two parts. In this case, one intermediate magnetic member may be used to provide a magnetic path for the power system rotary transformer T_P and the other may be used to provide a magnetic path for the signal system rotary transformer T_S.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is provided a rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator, the magnetic coupling device including a first coil and a second coil disposed so as to be magnetically coupled to the first coil. The first and second coils are each a loop coil disposed such that the opening thereof surrounds the rotary axis of the rotator. The loop coil has first and second wiring parts extending in the peripheral direction of the rotator, a third wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from one end of the first wiring part or one end of the second wiring part, and a fourth wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from the other end of the first wiring part or the other end of the second wiring part. At least one of the first and second coils is configured such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to the rotary axis.

According to the present embodiment, even when the positional relationship between the first and second coils is changed in association with rotation of the rotator, a change in the overlapping area between the openings of the respective first and second coils can be suppressed, which in turn can suppress a change in a transmission ratio therebetween. Thus, in the rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator, it is possible to obtain stable power or signal output characteristics regardless of rotation of the rotator.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that one of the first and second coils is configured such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction and that the other one thereof is configured such that a gap is formed between the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part when viewed in the radial direction. When one of the first and second coils is configured such that bent parts of the loop coil match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction, a variation in output voltage caused by rotation of the rotator can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that both the first and second coils are configured such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction. With this configuration, a variation in output voltage caused by rotation of the rotator can be further suppressed.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that at least one of the first and second coils is a planar spiral coil including a loop coil of a plurality of turns and is configured such that a set of the third wiring parts and a set of the forth wiring parts match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction. With this configuration, the inductances of the first and second coils can be increased, whereby magnetic coupling therebetween can be strengthened.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that at least one of the first and second coils is a multilayer loop coil in which loop coils are formed in a layered manner so as to overlap each other in the lamination direction. With this configuration, the inductances of the first and second coils can be increased, whereby magnetic coupling therebetween can be strengthened.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the first and second coils are each obtained by printing a conductor pattern on a flexible substrate. With this configuration, it is possible to easily produce the first and second coils each having a structure in which an opening of the loop coil is disposed so as to surround the rotary axis of the rotator.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the flexible substrate is rolled one or more turns such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction to be formed into a cylindrical shape. With this configuration, the inductance of at least one of the first and second coils can be increased, whereby magnetic coupling therebetween can be strengthened.

The rotary type magnetic coupling device according to the present embodiment preferably further includes a first magnetic member disposed outside the first and second coils in the radial direction and preferably further includes a second magnetic member disposed inside the first and second coils in the radial direction. With this configuration, a magnetic path of magnetic flux generated by the first and second coils can be formed. Thus, even when a metal member is disposed near the first and second coils, it is possible to reduce an eddy current loss caused due to intersection of magnetic flux generated by the first and second coils with the metal member, whereby magnetic coupling between the first and second coils can be strengthened.

According to the present embodiment, there can be provided a rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator, capable of obtaining stable output characteristics even when the positional relationship between coils is changed in accordance with the rotation amount of the rotator.

Claims

1. A rotary type magnetic coupling device used for a rotator, the rotary type magnetic coupling device comprising first and second coils magnetically coupled to each other, wherein each of the first and second coils is a loop-shaped having an opening surrounding a rotary axis of the rotator,wherein each of the first and second coils includes: first and second wiring parts extending in a peripheral direction of the rotator;a third wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from one end of the first wiring part or one end of the second wiring part; anda fourth wiring part bent in the rotary axis direction from other end of the first wiring part or other end of the second wiring part, andwherein at least one of the first and second coils is configured such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in a radial direction substantially orthogonal to the rotary axis.

2. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the first and second coils is configured such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction, andwherein other one of the first and second coils is configured such that a gap is formed between the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part when viewed in the radial direction.

3. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the first and second coils are configured such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction.

4. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second coils is a planar spiral-shaped including a loop section of a plurality of turns, and is configured such that a set of the third wiring parts and a set of the forth wiring parts match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction.

5. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second coils is a multilayer loop-shaped in which loop-shaped patterns are formed in a layered manner so as to overlap each other in a lamination direction.

6. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second coils include a conductor pattern formed on a flexible substrate.

7. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flexible substrate is rolled one or more turns such that the third wiring part and the fourth wiring part match or overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction to be formed into a cylindrical shape.

8. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first magnetic member disposed outside the first and second coils in the radial direction.

9. The rotary type magnetic coupling device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second magnetic member disposed inside the first and second coils in the radial direction.