JP2008099425A - Power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a power supply device that is less likely to cause an electrical failure.
A mutual inductor for generating electric power includes a pair of power supply units and a power reception unit that are capable of mutual induction. The power supply unit includes a power supply coil unit that receives current from a power source. The power supply unit houses the power supply coil unit. The power receiving unit includes a power receiving coil unit that generates an induced electromotive force by the power feeding coil unit. The power receiving unit includes a power receiving housing that houses the power receiving coil unit and is assembled to the power feeding housing. And a first side wall extending obliquely from the base wall and having a curved first ridge, and the power receiving housing extends obliquely from the top wall to the bottom wall, and from the top wall to the bottom wall. A second side wall having a curved second ridge, the first side wall and the second side wall guiding each other; Fitted Te is combined, the first ridge and the second ridge is fitted to guide one another.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present application relates to a power supply device that supplies power.

  In recent years, a walking assist device has been designed to prevent muscle weakness by assisting elderly people and victims with weak muscle strength in walking, raising and lowering stairs, standing up from a sitting position, and sitting up from a standing position. Exists (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The walking assist device of Patent Document 1 includes a first link fixed to a side surface of an abdominal band wound around the user's abdomen and a second link fixed to a side surface of a leg pad wound around the user's thigh. Including. The first and second links are connected by an electric actuator, and the second link is swung back and forth with respect to the first link by the electric actuator. This assists the movement of the user's thigh. In addition, the storage battery for supplying electricity to electric parts such as an electric actuator in the walking assist device is carried on the back.

  In addition, since the walking assist device uses an electric component such as an electric actuator, it is necessary to supply electricity to the electric component, and wiring for the electric component is necessarily required. Usually, this type of device is connected by a connector having contacts exposed to the outside.

JP 2002-301124 A

  However, when it is connected via an electrical contact such as a connector, this connection is not easy for the user. In addition, the degree of electrical contact decreases (the resistance value at the contact increases) by repeatedly attaching and detaching. Thereby, the supply of electricity may become inefficient or contact failure may occur. Further, in the case of electrical contacts, the metal part is exposed to the outside air and suffers from corrosion or rust. In addition, when the device attached to the human body is used for a long period (time), the leg rests are stained with dust and sweat. This leg rest is generally not considered for washing or the like, and cannot be washed as it is when a connector is used. In addition, a user is required to use an inexpensive device that can be used easily.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply apparatus that is less likely to cause electrical problems.

  Hereinafter, features of the present invention will be described using reference numerals. Reference numerals do not limit the invention to the embodiments.

  A feature of the present invention provides a power supply device (50) including the following elements. This power supply apparatus includes mutual inductors (51, 56) for generating electric power. The mutual inductor includes a pair of power feeding units (51) and a power receiving unit (56) that are mutually inductible. The power feeding unit (51) includes a power feeding coil unit (54) that receives a current from a power source (45). The power supply unit (51) includes a power supply housing (70) that houses the power supply coil unit (54). The power receiving unit (56) includes a power receiving coil unit (58) that generates an induced electromotive force by the power feeding coil unit (54). The power reception unit (56) includes a power reception housing (80) that houses the power reception coil unit (58) and is assembled to the power supply housing (70). The power supply housing (70) includes a base wall (71) and a first side wall (72a) having a first ridge (72b) extending obliquely from the base wall (71) and curved. The power receiving housing (80) includes a top wall (81a) and a bottom wall (81b) facing each other, and a curved second ridge (81d) extending obliquely from the top wall (81a) to the bottom wall (81b). A second side wall (81c). The first side wall (72a) and the second side wall (81c) are guided and fitted together. The first ridge (72b) and the second ridge (81d) are guided and fitted together.

  The power supply housing (70) may include a power supply core (54b). The power receiving housing (80) may include a power receiving core (58b). The power feeding housing (70) and the power receiving housing (80) may position the power feeding core (54b) and the power receiving core (58b) so as to face each other. The power supply device may include a fixing band (91) that fixes the power supply housing (70) and the power receiving housing (80). The power supply device may include a locking mechanism (77) that fixes the power supply housing (70) and the power receiving housing (80).

  The power feeding unit (54) and the power receiving unit (58) may include communication terminals (51a, 56a) capable of communicating with each other. The power supply housing (70, 70A) and the power receiving housing (80, 80A) may position the communication terminals (51a, 56a) so as to face each other.

  The first side wall (72a) and the second side wall (81c) are guided and fitted together, and the first ridge part (72b) and the second ridge part (81d) are guided and fitted together. This facilitates the fitting of the power feeding housing (70) and the power receiving housing (80).

  The fixing band (91) and the locking mechanism (77) fix the power feeding housing (70) and the power receiving housing (80) and ensure the positioning of the power feeding core (54b) and the power receiving core (58b). The coil unit (58) reliably generates an induced electromotive force by the feeding coil unit (54).

  The power feeding housing (70, 70A) and the power receiving housing (80, 80A) ensure the positioning of the communication terminals (51a, 56a) and improve the communication function.

  The best mode for carrying out the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. The power supply unit 50 as the power supply device of this embodiment is applied to, for example, the motion assisting device 100 that assists the movement of a joint in a human knee.

<First embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the movement assisting device 100 drives the link mechanism 20 that is attached to the joint portion of the user's knee 5 and the link mechanism 20 according to the movement of the user's foot. Drive unit 40, a power source unit 45 such as a storage battery, a power supply unit 50 that supplies power in a non-contact manner, a switch unit 65 that is operated by the user, and an operation detection unit 30 that detects the operation of the user's foot. And a control unit 60 that comprehensively controls each unit that needs to be electrically controlled (for example, the drive unit 40, the power supply unit 50, the operation detection unit 30, and the switch unit 65).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the link mechanism unit 20 includes a first link 21 fixedly attached to a side surface of the upper leg pad 11, and the upper leg pad 11 is wound around the thigh 2 of the user. The link mechanism unit 20 includes a second link 22 fixedly attached to a side surface of the lower leg rest 12, and the lower leg rest 12 is wound around the user's lower leg 3. The link mechanism unit 20 includes a third link 23 that obtains power from the drive unit 40 and swings the second link 22 forward F1 or rear R1 with respect to the first link 21.

  The first link 21 extends from the user's lower back side to the knee 5 side. The second link 22 extends from the knee 5 side of the user to the tip (ground) side of the foot. The first link 21 and the second link 22 are pivotally connected in the vicinity of the knee 5. The end of the third link 23 is connected to the second link 22.

  Although the upper leg rest 11 and the lower leg rest 12 are not illustrated, each includes a pair of leg rest members. These leg rest members are detachably attached to the user's thigh 2 and crus 3 with, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener 13. The leg rest member is formed of, for example, PP (polypropylene) resin, and a stretchable sponge member or the like is attached to a portion in contact with the user's thigh.

  The drive unit 40 as an actuator includes a DC motor 41 having a rotation mechanism, a drive control unit 42 that drives and controls the DC motor 41 in a predetermined rotation speed and direction, and the DC motor 41 and the third link 23. A gear box 43 to be connected is included. The gear box 43 includes a predetermined gear group around the rotation axis. The rotation of the rotating shaft of the DC motor 41 generates a rotational driving force. This rotation is converted into a linear motion via the gear box 41 and transmitted to the third link 23, and the third link 23 transmits the driving force to the second link 22. And the 2nd link 22 is rock | fluctuated to the front-back direction F1 and R1 with respect to the 1st link 21 with the rotation direction of the DC motor 41, and assists the motion of the joint in a user's knee part 5. FIG.

  The power supply unit 50 as a power supply device is attached around the upper leg rest 11. The power supply unit 50 includes a power supply unit 51 and a power reception unit 56 as mutual inductors. The power supply unit 51 includes a power supply coil unit 54 and a power supply / communication circuit 55 that are electrically connected to each other. The power receiving unit 56 includes a power receiving coil unit 58 and a power receiving / communication circuit 59 that are electrically connected to each other. The power receiving coil unit 58 generates an induced electromotive force in a non-contact manner by the power feeding coil unit 54. The power feeding / communication circuit 55 and the power receiving / communication circuit 59 include communication terminals 51a and 56a capable of communicating with each other with respect to predetermined information without contact. The predetermined information is, for example, a signal related to foot motion detected by the motion detection unit 30 or a signal for operating the DC motor 41 generated by the control unit 60.

  The operation detection unit 30 includes, for example, a plurality of pressure sensors 30a. The pressure sensor 30a is installed on the sole of the foot (under the sock) or in the shoe. Then, the motion detection unit detects the motion state of the user from the load generated on the shoe sole due to the weight shift of the user.

  The control unit 60 includes a central processing unit (CPU) mainly having a calculation function, a working RAM, and a ROM that stores various data and programs. The CPU executes various programs stored in the ROM, for example, thereby controlling each unit and overall control of the operation assisting device 100.

  Specifically, the control unit 60 detects the load bias on the soles of the users based on the signals detected by the front and rear pressure sensors 30a, estimates the moving direction of the user, and operates the joints. Is estimated. Then, the control unit 60 determines the rotation direction and rotation speed of the DC motor 41. Further, the control unit 60 controls the power feeding / communication circuit 55 so that the power supplied to the power receiving / communication circuit 59 is minimized.

  The switch unit 65 includes a start switch 66 for starting the motion assisting device 100 and a rotation control switch 67 for controlling the rotation speed of the DC motor. Both switches 66 and 67 are electrically connected to the control unit 60.

  Next, the structure of the power feeding unit 51 and the power receiving unit 56 will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the power supply unit 51 includes a deformable power supply belt 52 connected to a power supply unit 45 having a lead battery, for example. The power feeding belt 52 has surface fasteners 52a at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The power supply unit 51 includes a power supply coil unit 54 and a power supply / communication circuit 55 fixed to the power supply belt 52. The power supply coil unit 54 is accommodated in the power supply housing 70. The power supply / communication circuit 55 is electrically connected to the power supply coil unit 54 and the power supply unit 45 using, for example, an electric wire.

  The power receiving unit 56 includes a telescopic power receiving belt 57 connected to the DC motor 41. The power receiving unit 56 includes a power receiving coil unit 58 and a power receiving / communication circuit 59 fixed to the power receiving belt 57. The power receiving belt 57 has hook-and-loop fasteners 57a that engage each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The power receiving belt 57 has a heat insulating material 57 b positioned next to the power receiving / communication circuit 59 so as to coincide with the power feeding / communication circuit 55. The power receiving coil unit 58 is positioned in alignment with the power feeding coil unit 54 and is accommodated in the power receiving housing 80. The power reception / communication circuit 59 is electrically connected to the power reception coil unit 58 and the DC motor 41 using, for example, an electric wire. The power receiving coil unit 58 supplies the power received from the power feeding coil unit 54 to the DC motor 41.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the feeding and receiving coil units 54 and 58 are fixed to the glass epoxy substrates 51b and 56b. The substrates 51b and 56b have two communication terminals 51a and 56a fixed to both ends in the horizontal direction. The communication terminals 51a and 56a use, for example, IR (infrared ray radiation) -phototransistors and IR-LEDs (light emitting diodes), and transmit and receive data by infrared communication. The power feeding and power receiving coil units 54 and 58 and the communication terminals 51a and 56a are molded into a plate shape with resin 51c and 56c together with the substrates 51b and 56, and are waterproofed. Cover sheets 51f and 56f are disposed on the plate structure. This structure does not expose contacts or copper wires.

  The power feeding / communication circuit 55 and the power receiving / communication circuit 59 are disposed on the glass epoxy substrates 51d and 56d. The boards 51b and 56b and the boards 51d and 56d are connected by an electric wire W1. The power feeding / communication circuit 55 and the power receiving / communication circuit 59 are molded into a plate shape by the resins 51e, 56e together with the substrates 51d, 56d, and are waterproofed. Cover sheets 51g and 56g are arranged on this plate structure.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the feeding and receiving coil units 54 and 58 include annular feeding and receiving coils 54a and 58a, and a magnetic feeding core 54b and a receiving core 58b to which the feeding and receiving coils 54a and 58a are respectively attached. Including. The power feeding core 54b and the power receiving core 58b have annular recesses 54c and 58c, respectively. The power feeding core 54b and the power receiving core 58b have cylindrical protrusions 54d and 58d at the centers of the recesses 54c and 58c. The feeding and receiving coils 54a and 58a are disposed in the recesses 54c and 58c, and the protrusions 54d and 58d pass through the central holes of the feeding and receiving coils 54a and 58a. The power feeding and power receiving coils 54a and 58a generate magnetic flux, and the magnetic flux passes through the power feeding core 54b and the power receiving core 58b.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the power supply housing 70 houses the power supply coil unit 54 and the communication terminal 51a together with the substrate 51b. The power receiving housing 80 accommodates the power receiving coil unit 58 and the communication terminal 56b together with the substrate 56b. The power supply housing 70 is attached so as to cover the entire power receiving housing 80. Thereby, the power feeding coil 54a and the power receiving coil 58a are close to each other and face each other in parallel. Note that when the motion assisting device 100 is used, the power feeding coil 54a and the power receiving coil 58a may be arranged to face each other in parallel and to be close to each other at a distance of about 2 millimeters, for example.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the power feeding and power receiving housings 70 and 80 will be described in detail.

  The quadrangular pyramid shaped power supply housing 70 includes a base wall 71 having a rectangular plane and a side wall 72 extending obliquely outward from a side edge of the base wall 71. Each side portion of the base wall 71 protrudes outward and curves. The side wall 72 has an inner wall 72a on the inner side and an outer wall 72c on the outer side. The inner wall 72a and the outer wall 72c each protrude outward and bend. The inner wall 72a and the outer wall 72c each have four ridges 72b and 72d. The ridges 72b and 72d are chamfered and curved, and are continuous with the inner wall 72a and the outer wall 72c on both sides, respectively. The side wall 72 has a quadrangular frustum-shaped opening 73 defined by the inner side wall 72a. The opening 73 has a bottom 74 as a part of the base wall 71. The bottom 74 has a flat rectangular recess 75 into which the power supply coil unit 54 and the substrate 51b on which the communication terminal 51a is placed are fitted. The recess 75 positions the power feeding core 54b and the communication terminal 51a. A portion of the side wall 72 and the bottom 74 is cut away to form a groove 76. The groove 76 communicates with the recess 75 and is used for drawing out a lead wire from the power supply coil 54a.

  The power receiving housing 80 includes a base 81 having a quadrangular pyramid shape. The base 81 has a top wall 81a and a bottom wall 81b that are parallel to each other. The top wall 81a is smaller in area than the bottom wall 81b. The base 81 has a side wall 81c extending between the top wall 81a and the bottom wall 81b. Each side wall 81c extends obliquely outward from the top wall 81a toward the bottom wall 81b. Each side wall 81 coincides with the corresponding inner side wall 72a in the inclination. Each side wall 81c projects outward and curves. Each of the side walls 81c coincides with the corresponding inner side wall 72a in curvature. The side wall 81c has four ridges 81d that are curved corresponding to the ridge 72b of the inner wall 72a. Each of the ridge portions 81d coincides with the corresponding ridge portion 72b in curvature. Each ridge 81d is continuous with the side walls 81c on both sides thereof. The base 81 has a flat rectangular recess 82 in the top wall 81a. The board 56b on which the power receiving coil unit 58 and the communication terminal 56a are placed is fitted in the recess 82. The recess 82 cooperates with the recess 75 to position the power receiving core 58b and the communication terminal 56a so as to face the power feeding core 54b and the communication terminal 51a.

  The base 81 is fitted into the opening 73. A part of the base 81 is notched to form a groove 83. The groove 83 communicates with the recess 82 and is used to draw out a lead wire from the power receiving coil 58a. The power feeding housing 70 and the power receiving housing 80 are fixed by a fixing band 91. Both ends of the fixed band 91 have surface fasteners 91a and 91b that bite each other.

  In this configuration, at the time of power feeding, the power feeding band 52 is superimposed on the power receiving band 57 as shown in FIG. The power feeding band 52 is fixed to the power receiving band 57 by a surface fastener 52a. As shown in FIG. 6, the power receiving housing 80 is inserted into the power supply housing 70 from the top wall a. At this time, the inner wall 72a of the power supply housing 70 and the side wall 81c of the power receiving housing 80 are guided and fitted together by the inclination. The curved ridges 72b and 81d are fitted and guided together. This facilitates the fitting between the power receiving housing 80 and the power feeding housing 70. And the inner wall 72a and the side wall 81c are fitted together with no gap between them. The power supply housing 70 covers the entire power receiving housing 80. The fixed band 91 shown in FIG. 8 is wound around the power supply housing 70 and the power receiving housing 80. The surface fasteners 91a and 91b are bitten together to fix the power supply housing 70 and the power reception housing 80. As a result, the feeding coil unit 54 is overlaid on the receiving coil unit 58. The power feeding and power receiving cores 54b and 58b and the communication terminals 51a and 56a are positioned so as to face each other on a straight line. The power feeding coil 54a and the power receiving coil 58a are arranged close to each other and in parallel with each other. Thereby, the feeding coil unit 54 and the receiving coil unit 58 constitute an electromagnetic induction circuit therebetween. When a current is supplied to the feeding coil 54a, the feeding coil 54a generates a magnetic flux. This magnetic flux passes through the power feeding and power receiving cores 51b and 56b, and generates an induced electromotive force in the power receiving coil 54a.

  Next, an operation example of the motion assist device 100 will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 1, first, when a user activates operation assisting device 100 using start switch 66, control unit 60 receives a signal from start switch 66 and receives power supply unit 60 and drive control unit. A signal is transmitted to 42. The drive control unit 42 turns on the DC motor 41. The power supply unit 45 supplies a DC current having a specified value to the feeding coil unit 54 via the feeding / communication circuit 55. This direct current generates a magnetic flux in the feeding coil unit 54. This magnetic flux generates an induced electromotive force in the power receiving coil unit 54. This electromotive force starts the DC motor 41 as electric power via the power reception / communication circuit 59.

  Next, the control unit 60 receives a signal from the pressure sensor 30a of the motion detection unit 30 via the communication terminals 51a and 56a, and detects the motion of the user's foot. The control unit 60 transmits a control signal corresponding to the motion of the foot to the drive control unit 42 via the communication terminals 51a and 56a. The drive control unit 42 controls the operation of the DC motor 41.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when the foot is moved forward F1, DC motor 41 is driven to rotate its rotation axis in the normal direction. The rotating shaft moves the third link 23 to the front F1 using the gear box 43, and rotates the second link 22 with respect to the first link 21. This rotation increases the angle formed by the first link 21 and the second link 22 and extends the knee 5 of the user. After stretching, reverse the rotation and bend the knee. This operation is performed alternately on the left and right to advance.

  On the other hand, when moving the foot to the rear R1, the rotating shaft of the DC motor 41 is rotated in the reverse direction. The rotation shaft moves the third link 23 to the rear R1 using the gear box 43 and rotates the second link 22 in the reverse direction with respect to the first link 21. This reverse rotation reduces the angle formed by the first link 21 and the second link 22 and bends the user's knee 5. After bending, undo the rotation and extend the knee. This operation is alternately performed on the left and right sides to make a reverse movement.

  The above description corresponds to a walking motion, but when changing from a sitting posture to a standing posture, both right and left are forward rotation, and the bent knee is extended both left and right. When changing from a standing posture to a sitting posture, the left and right sides are rotated in the opposite direction, and the extended knee is bent on both the left and right sides.

  According to the above embodiment, the inner side wall 72a and the side wall 81c are guided and fitted together, and the ridges 72b and 81d are guided and fitted together. This facilitates the fitting of the power feeding housing 70 and the power receiving housing 80.

  The power feeding housing 70 and the power receiving housing 80 are positioned and fixed by a fixing band 91. This structure ensures the positioning of the power feeding core 54b and the power receiving core 58b, ensures a magnetic flux path, and improves the electromotive ability of the power receiving coil 58a.

  Moreover, the said structure ensures positioning of the communication terminals 51a and 56a, and improves a communication function.

<Second Embodiment>
The motion assisting device 100 includes a power feeding housing 70A and a power receiving housing 80A as shown in FIGS. The power feeding housing 70A and the power receiving housing 80A have the same structure as the power feeding housing 70 and the power receiving housing 80 of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same members, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The power feeding housing 70 </ b> A and the power receiving housing 80 </ b> A are characterized by having locking mechanisms 77 and 84. This locking mechanism includes a locking claw 77 positioned on the power supply housing 70A and a locking receiver 84 positioned on the power receiving housing 80A. The power supply housing 70 </ b> A has an opening 78 from the side wall 72 to the base 71. The opening 78 has a support wall 78 a extending from the base 71 along the side wall 72. The support wall 78 a has a length corresponding to the upper half of the side wall 72. A portion of the opening 78 corresponding to the lower half of the side wall 72 is open. The locking claw 77 has a column 77a extending outward from the tip of the support wall 78a. The locking claw 77 has an operation piece 77b extending from the tip end of the column 77a to one side. The locking claw 77 has a claw piece 77c extending from the tip end of the column 77a to the other side. The upper surface 84 a of the locking receiver 84 is recessed from the upper surface of the base 81. A column 77a is placed on the upper surface 84a. The corners of the locking receptacle 84 are notched to form a groove 84b. The groove 84b is engaged with the claw piece 77c.

  The assembly of the power feeding housing 70A and the power receiving housing 80A will be described. Referring to FIG. 10, the board 51 b on which the feeding coil unit 54 and the communication terminal 51 a are placed is fitted into the recess 75 of the feeding housing 70 </ b> A. The board 56b on which the power receiving coil unit 58 and the communication terminal 56b are mounted is fitted in the recess 82 of the power receiving housing 80A. The power receiving housing 80A is inserted into the power supply housing 70A. The column 77 a of the locking claw 77 is placed on the upper surface 84 a of the locking receiver 84. The claw piece 77c descends along the side surface of the locking receiver 84 while being bent, and is locked in the groove 84b. Thereby, the power feeding housing 70A and the power receiving housing 80A are fixed, and the power feeding cocoa 54b, the power receiving core 58b, and the communication terminals 51a and 56a are close to each other and face each other.

  Next, removal of the power feeding housing 70A from the power receiving housing 80A will be described. When the operation piece 77b of the locking claw 77 is pushed inward, the claw piece 77c is detached from the groove 84b. With the claw pieces 77c removed, the power feeding housing 70A is lifted away from the power receiving housing 80A.

  According to this embodiment, the locking mechanisms 77 and 84 fix the power feeding housing 70A and the power receiving housing 80A that are positioned relative to each other. This structure ensures the positioning of the power feeding coil core 54b and the power receiving core 58b, improves the electromotive ability of the power receiving coil 58a, ensures the positioning of the communication terminals 51a and 56a, and improves the communication function.

<Third embodiment>
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, power supply unit 51 </ b> A has a substrate 51 f on which power supply coil unit 54 and power supply / communication circuit 55 are attached. The substrate 51 f has two communication terminals 51 a near the corner of the power feeding coil unit 54. The power feeding coil unit 54, the power feeding / communication circuit 55, and the communication terminal 51a are molded with resin together with the substrate 51f and are waterproofed. The power supply knit 51A includes a power supply band 52A having members 54, 55, 51a, and 51f therein. The feeding band 52 </ b> A has two recesses 52 </ b> A <b> 1 on both sides of the feeding coil unit 54.

  The power receiving unit 56A includes a substrate 56f on which the power receiving coil unit 58 and the power receiving / communication circuit 59 are attached. The board 56 f has two communication terminals 56 a near the power receiving coil unit 58. The power receiving coil unit 58, the power receiving / communication circuit 59, and the communication terminal 56a are molded with resin together with the substrate 56f and waterproofed. The power reception unit 56A includes a power reception band 57A having members 58, 59, 56a, and 56f therein. The power receiving band 57A has two convex portions 57A1 on both sides of the power receiving coil unit 58.

  Referring to FIG. 11, power feeding band 52A is placed on power receiving band 57A. The convex portion 57A1 is fitted into the concave portion 52A1, and the power feeding band 52A and the power receiving band 57A are fixed by the surface fastener 52a. This structure ensures the positioning of the power feeding core and the power receiving core and improves the electromotive ability of the power receiving coil. Moreover, the said structure ensures positioning of the communication terminals 51a and 56a, and improves a communication function.

<Fourth embodiment>
The power supply unit 51 and the power reception unit 56 are characterized by having a power supply housing 70B and a power reception housing 80B as shown in FIGS. The power feeding housing 70B and the power receiving housing 80B have the same structure as the power feeding housing 70 and the power receiving housing 80 of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same members, and description thereof is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 14, the power supply housing 70B has a front part 70a and a rear part 70b with respect to a center line C1 that bisects the recess 75, and the front part 70a extends longer than the rear part 70b. That is, the front part 70a and the rear part 70b are asymmetric with respect to the center line C1 and have different shapes. Specifically, the front end 71a of the base wall 71 extends longer than the rear end 71b. Therefore, the side wall 71c1 of the front end 71a is larger in curvature radius than the side wall 71c2 of the rear end 81f.

  The power receiving housing 80B has a front part 80a and a rear part 80b with respect to a center line C2 that bisects the recess 82, and the front part 80a extends longer than the rear part 80b. The front part 80a and the rear part 80b are formed corresponding to the front part 70a and the rear part 70b of the power supply housing 70B, respectively. That is, the front portion 80a and the rear portion 80b are asymmetric with respect to the center line C2, and have different shapes. Specifically, the front end 81e of the base 81 extends longer than the rear end 81f. Accordingly, the side wall 81c1 of the front end 81e is larger in curvature radius than the side wall 81c2 of the rear end 81f.

  When the power feeding housing 70B and the power receiving housing 80B are assembled, the center lines C1 and C2 coincide with each other. The front portions 70a and 80a are fitted together, and the rear portions 70b and 80b are fitted together. Here, the front portions 70a and 80a and the rear portions 70b and 80b are asymmetric with respect to the center lines C1 and C2, and thus do not fit each other. This prevents erroneous assembly of the power feeding housing 70B and the power receiving housing 80B.

  Referring to FIG. 13, power supply housing 70 </ b> B has a hole 78 that penetrates base wall 71 at the bottom of groove 76. The hole 78 is used to take out the lead wire W2 as a multicore cable from the power supply housing 70B to the outside. That is, the lead wire W2 extends from the substrate 51b along the groove 76, bends at a right angle at the hole 78, passes through the hole 78, and extends to the outside. Similarly, the power receiving housing 80 </ b> B has a hole 85 that penetrates the base 71 at the bottom of the groove 83. The hole 85 is used for taking out the lead wire W3 from the power receiving housing 80B to the outside. That is, the lead wire W3 extends from the substrate 56b along the groove 83, bends at a right angle at the hole 85, passes through the hole 85, and extends to the outside. This structure makes it difficult to break the exposed portions of the lead wires W2 and W3 and reduces the size of the entire assembly compared to a structure in which the lead wires are taken out straight along the grooves 76 and 83.

It is a block diagram which shows the operation | movement assistance apparatus concerning 1st embodiment. It is an external view of the movement assistance apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and this apparatus is mounted | worn with a user's knee part. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the separated power supply unit and power reception unit shown in FIG. 1. (A) is a top view of the internal structure of the electric power feeding unit and electric power receiving unit shown in FIG. 3, (B) is a side view of the internal structure. It is a perspective view of the decomposed | disassembled electric power feeding or receiving coil unit. It is sectional drawing of the electric power feeding unit and electric power receiving unit which were assembled | attached. It is a perspective view of a power feeding housing and a power receiving housing. (A) is a perspective view of the electric power feeding housing and electric power receiving housing concerning 2nd embodiment, (B) is a perspective view of the electric power feeding housing and electric power receiving housing which were isolate | separated. It is a top view of the electric power feeding housing shown to FIG. 8 (A). (A) is sectional drawing of the assembled electric power feeding housing and electric power receiving housing along XA-XA shown to FIG. 8 (A), (B) is sectional drawing of the electric power feeding housing and electric power receiving housing which were isolate | separated. (A) is sectional drawing of the electric power feeding unit and electric power receiving unit concerning 3rd embodiment, (B) is sectional drawing of the electric power feeding unit and electric power receiving unit which were isolate | separated. (A) is a top view which shows the internal structure of an electric power feeding unit, (B) is a top view which shows the internal structure of an electric power receiving unit. (A) is a top view of the electric power feeding unit concerning 4th embodiment, (B) is a top view of the electric power receiving unit which makes a pair with an electric power feeding unit. FIG. 14A is a front perspective view of a power feeding housing and a power receiving housing of the power feeding unit and the power receiving unit shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 14B is a rear perspective view of the power feeding housing and the power receiving housing.

Explanation of symbols

5 Knee part 20 Link mechanism part 30 Operation | movement detection part 40 Drive part 50 Electric power supply part (electric power supply apparatus)
51 Power Supply Unit 54 Power Supply Coil Unit 56 Power Receive Unit 58 Power Receive Coil Unit 60 Control Unit 70 Power Supply Housing 77 Locking Claw (Locking Mechanism)
80 Power receiving housing 84 Locking receiver (Locking mechanism)
91 Fixed Band 100 Motion Aid Device

Claims (4)

Including a mutual inductor that generates power,
The mutual inductor includes a pair of power supply units and a power reception unit that are mutually inductible.
The power supply unit
A feeding coil unit that receives current from a power source;
Including a power supply housing that houses the power supply coil unit;
The power receiving unit
A receiving coil unit that generates an induced electromotive force by the feeding coil unit;
A power receiving housing that houses the power receiving coil unit and is assembled to the power feeding housing;
The power supply housing includes a base wall and a first side wall extending obliquely from the base wall and having a curved first ridge,
The power receiving housing has a top wall and a bottom wall facing each other, and a second side wall having a second ridge that extends obliquely from the top wall to the bottom wall and is curved,
The first side wall and the second side wall are guided and fitted together,
The power supply device, wherein the first ridge and the second ridge are guided and fitted to each other. The power supply housing includes a power supply core;
The power receiving housing includes a power receiving core;
The power feeding housing and the power receiving housing position the power feeding core and the power receiving core so as to face each other,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing band that fixes the power supply housing and the power receiving housing. The power supply housing includes a power supply core;
The power receiving housing includes a power receiving core;
The power feeding housing and the power receiving housing position the power feeding core and the power receiving core so as to face each other,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that fixes the power supply housing and the power reception housing. Each of the power feeding unit and the power receiving unit includes a communication terminal capable of communicating with each other,
The power supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the power supply housing and the power reception housing position the communication terminals so as to face each other.

Images