Abstract: A foreign object detector includes detection coils between a transmitter coil in a transmitter device and a receiver coil in a receiver device, a power supply circuit that supplies AC power having a predetermined frequency to each detection coil through a feeder coil located to be electromagnetically coupled to each detection coil, and a detection circuit that detects, while power to be transmitted to the receiver coil is being supplied to the transmitter coil, a criteria voltage to be a criterion for foreign object detection output from each detection coil at a start of power supply from the power supply circuit and outputs a signal to stop power supply to the transmitter coil in response to the criteria voltage for any detection coil deviating from a predetermined range. The transmitter device transmits power to the receiver device contactlessly.

Abstract: A foreign object detector includes multiple detection coils located between a transmitter coil in a transmitter device and a receiver coil in a receiver device to be electromagnetically coupled to one another, multiple capacitors each forming a resonant circuit together with a corresponding detection coil of the detection coils, a power supply circuit that supplies alternating current power having a predetermined frequency to each of the detection coils through a feeder coil located to be electromagnetically coupled to each of the detection coils, and a detection circuit that detects a voltage output from each of the detection coils and detects a foreign object between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil based on the detected voltage. The transmitter device transmits power to the receiver device contactlessly.

Abstract: A foreign matter detecting device includes a plurality of detection coils disposed so as to be capable of being electromagnetically coupled to each other between a transmission coil of a power transmission device and a reception coil of a power reception device between which power is transmitted in a non-contact manner, a plurality of capacitors each forming a resonance circuit together with each of the plurality of detection coils, a power supply circuit supplying AC power having a predetermined frequency to an input coil that is one of the plurality of detection coils, and a detection circuit detecting a voltage of AC power transmitted via the plurality of detection coils from an output coil that one of the plurality of detection coils and is different from the input coil, and detecting foreign matter entrapped between the transmission coil and the reception coil according to the voltage detected.

Abstract: A foreign material detection apparatus has, between a transmitter coil of a power transmitting apparatus and a receiver coil of a power receiving apparatus between which power is transmitted contactlessly, a plurality of first detection coils arranged to be inductively couplable with each other and each constituting a resonant circuit having a first resonant frequency together with a first capacitor, a plurality of second detection coils arranged to be inductively couplable with each other and each constituting a resonant circuit having a second resonant frequency together with a second capacitor, a power supply circuit that supplies, to each detection coil, AC power having a frequency at which the detection coil resonates, and a detection circuit that detects foreign material contamination between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil according to a voltage of the AC power transmitted via the detection coils.

Abstract: A foreign material detection apparatus has, between a transmitter coil of a power transmitting apparatus and a receiver coil of a power receiving apparatus between which power is transmitted contactlessly, a plurality of first detection coils arranged to be inductively couplable with each other and each constituting a resonant circuit having a first resonant frequency together with a first capacitor, a plurality of second detection coils arranged to be inductively couplable with each other and each constituting a resonant circuit having a second resonant frequency together with a second capacitor, a power supply circuit that supplies, to each detection coil, AC power having a frequency at which the detection coil resonates, and a detection circuit that detects foreign material contamination between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil according to a voltage of the AC power transmitted via the detection coils.

Abstract: A contactless power supply device includes: a power transmitter, and a power receiver configured to accept a power transmission from the power transmitter without contact; the power transmitter including a transmitter coil for supplying power to the power receiver via a receiver coil in the power receiver; a power supply circuit including a power source configured to supply direct-current power, and a plurality of switching elements connected in a full-bridge or half-bridge configuration between the power source and the transmitter coil; the plurality of switching elements switching between on and off states at a predetermined frequency to thereby convert the direct-current power supplied by the power source into alternating-current power of a predetermined frequency which is supplied to the transmitter coil; an auxiliary coil arranged to be capable of electromagnetic coupling with the transmitter coil; and a capacitive element configured for connection to the auxiliary coil.

Abstract: A contactless power supply device includes: a power transmitter, and a power receiver configured to accept a power transmission from the power transmitter without contact; the power transmitter including a transmitter coil for supplying power to the power receiver via a receiver coil in the power receiver; a power supply circuit including a power source configured to supply direct-current power, and a plurality of switching elements connected in a full-bridge or half-bridge configuration between the power source and the transmitter coil; the plurality of switching elements switching between on and off states at a predetermined frequency to thereby convert the direct-current power supplied by the power source into alternating-current power of a predetermined frequency which is supplied to the transmitter coil; an auxiliary coil arranged to be capable of electromagnetic coupling with the transmitter coil; and a capacitive element configured for connection to the auxiliary coil.

Abstract: A contactless power supply device includes a power transmitter, and a power receiver. The power receiver includes: a resonant circuit including a receiver coil and a resonant capacitor; a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the power output from the resonant circuit; a voltage detection circuit configured to measure the output voltage from the rectifier circuit and obtain a measurement value for said output voltage; and a first communication device. The power transmitter includes: a transmitter coil; a power supply circuit including a power source and a plurality of switching elements between the power source and the transmitter coil; an auxiliary coil for electromagnetic coupling with the transmitter coil; a variable capacitance circuit configured to connect to the auxiliary coil and adjust the electrostatic charge therein; and a control circuit configured to control the electrostatic charge in the variable capacitance circuit in accordance with the measurement value for the output voltage.

Abstract: A contactless power supply device includes a power transmitter, and a power receiver. The power receiver includes: a resonant circuit including a receiver coil and a resonant capacitor; a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the power output from the resonant circuit; a voltage detection circuit configured to measure the output voltage from the rectifier circuit and obtain a measurement value for said output voltage; and a first communication device. The power transmitter includes: a transmitter coil; a power supply circuit including a power source and a plurality of switching elements between the power source and the transmitter coil; an auxiliary coil for electromagnetic coupling with the transmitter coil; a variable capacitance circuit configured to connect to the auxiliary coil and adjust the electrostatic charge therein; and a control circuit configured to control the electrostatic charge in the variable capacitance circuit in accordance with the measurement value for the output voltage.

Abstract: A foreign matter detecting device includes a plurality of detection coils disposed so as to be capable of being electromagnetically coupled to each other between a transmission coil of a power transmission device and a reception coil of a power reception device between which power is transmitted in a non-contact manner, a plurality of capacitors each forming a resonance circuit together with each of the plurality of detection coils, a power supply circuit supplying AC power having a predetermined frequency to an input coil that is one of the plurality of detection coils, and a detection circuit detecting a voltage of AC power transmitted via the plurality of detection coils from an output coil that one of the plurality of detection coils and is different from the input coil, and detecting foreign matter entrapped between the transmission coil and the reception coil according to the voltage detected.

Abstract: A semiconductor module includes: a semiconductor element; first and second main current passages for energizing the semiconductor element, the first and second main current passages being opposed to each other in such a manner that a first energization direction of the first main current passage is opposite to a second energization direction of the second main current passage, or an angle between the first energization direction and the second energization direction is an obtuse angle; and a coil unit sandwiched between the first and second main current passages. The coil unit includes a coil, which generates an induced electromotive force when a magnetic flux interlinks with the coil, the magnetic flux being generated when current flows through the first and second main current passages.

Abstract: A semiconductor module includes: a semiconductor element; first and second main current passages for energizing the semiconductor element, the first and second main current passages being opposed to each other in such a manner that a first energization direction of the first main current passage is opposite to a second energization direction of the second main current passage, or an angle between the first energization direction and the second energization direction is an obtuse angle; and a coil unit sandwiched between the first and second main current passages. The coil unit includes a coil, which generates an induced electromotive force when a magnetic flux interlinks with the coil, the magnetic flux being generated when current flows through the first and second main current passages.