Noncontact power feed system, noncontact relay apparatus, noncontact power reception apparatus, and noncontact power feed method

Outline of Noncontact Power Feed System of First Embodiment

[0052]FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a structural example of a magnetic-field-resonance-type noncontact power feed system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the noncontact power feed system of this embodiment includes a power feed source 1, a moving body 2, and a power feed destination 3. It should be noted that a plurality of power feed destinations that are similarly structured can be used, which will be described later in detail.

[0053]The power feed source 1 uses a magnetic field resonance system to supply power to another electronic apparatus in a noncontact manner, thus realizing a function as a noncontact power feed apparatus.

[0054]The moving body 2 receives power from the power feed source 1 and has a function as a relay apparatus that supplies the power to another electronic apparatus and a function of using the power to drive a drive motor thereof, thus realizing a func...

Modified Example of Second Embodiment

[0181]It should be noted that though impedance is adjusted using the filter circuits in the apparatuses described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, switching circuits may be provided instead of the filter circuits.

[0182]For example, in the case of the power feed source 1 shown in FIG. 7, a switching circuit 16b is provided at the position of the filter circuit 15b, i.e., between the communication section 14 and the transmission resonance coil 13. Further, a switching circuit 16a is provided at the position of the filter circuit 15a, i.e., between the AC power source 11 and the coupling coil 12.

[0183]Then, the switching circuit 16a is turned on and the switching circuit 16b is turned off when power is fed. Accordingly, impedance of the transmission resonance coil 13 can be kept high and power from the AC power source can be fed efficiently.

[0184]In addition, the switching circuit 16a is turn...