The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

Provided are a composite material having direct current superposition characteristics, low iron loss, and high strength, a magnetic core for a magnetic component and a reactor, the magnetic core and the reactor including the composite material, a converter including the reactor, and a power conversion device including the converter. A composite material includes a soft magnetic powder, a filler, and a resin portion enclosing the soft magnetic powder and the filler dispersed therein, wherein the filler has rubber and an outer circumferential layer that covers a surface of the rubber and that contains an organic substance, and the resin portion contains a thermoplastic resin.

The power conversion device includes: a boost, converter which includes a magnetically-coupled reactor and a plurality of semiconductor switching elements connected to the magnetically-coupled reactor; an inverter; a cooler for cooling the magnetically-coupled reactor; a bus bar which is a conductive wiring member; and a current sensor for detecting a magnetic flux generated around the bus bar. The magnetically-coupled reactor includes a first winding, a second winding, and a core for magnetically coupling the first winding and the second winding. The core has a composite magnetic body containing soft magnetic powder and a binder, and at least parts of the first winding and the second winding are embedded in the composite magnetic body. The cooler is provided in contact with the magnetically-coupled reactor. The current sensor is provided on a side opposite to the magnetically-coupled reactor with the cooler therebetween.

A reactor 1 of the present invention includes a coil 2 and a magnetic core 3 disposed inside and outside the coil 2 to form a closed magnetic path. At least part of the magnetic core 3 is made of a composite material containing a magnetic substance powder made of an identical material and a resin containing the powder being dispersed therein. In the particle size distribution of the magnetic substance powder, a plurality of peaks are present. That is, the magnetic substance powder contains both a fine powder and a coarse powder at high frequencies. Since the composite material contains the fine powder, it can reduce the eddy current loss, and hence achieves to be a low-loss material. Thanks to the mixed powder including the fine powder and the coarse powder, the packing density of the magnetic substance powder is increased. Thus, the composite material exhibits a high saturation magnetic flux density. By employing such a mixed powder, the raw material powder can be handled with ease, and excellent manufacturability of the composite material is obtained.

A reactor 1 of the present invention includes a coil 2 and a magnetic core 3 disposed inside and outside the coil 2 to form a closed magnetic path. At least part of the magnetic core 3 is made of a composite material containing a magnetic substance powder made of an identical material and a resin containing the powder being dispersed therein. In the particle size distribution of the magnetic substance powder, a plurality of peaks are present. That is, the magnetic substance powder contains both a fine powder and a coarse powder at high frequencies. Since the composite material contains the fine powder, it can reduce the eddy current loss, and hence achieves to be a low-loss material. Thanks to the mixed powder including the fine powder and the coarse powder, the packing density of the magnetic substance powder is increased. Thus, the composite material exhibits a high saturation magnetic flux density. By employing such a mixed powder, the raw material powder can be handled with ease, and excellent manufacturability of the composite material is obtained.

A feed unit includes: a power transmission section configured to perform power transmission with use of a magnetic field or an electronic field; a power limiting section provided on a power supply line from an external power source to the power transmission section; and a control section provided on a side closer to the external power source than the power limiting section, and including a power transmission control section, the power transmission control section being configured to control the power transmission.

Provided is a power converter in which a magnetic core of a noise filter can be prevented from magnetic saturation and the noise filter can be downsized. A noise filter 140 provided in a power converter includes: a magnetic core 1 formed with a single through-hole 1A and forming a closed magnetic circuit; first wiring 11 having one end 81 connected to a power conversion circuit and the other end drawn out from the second opening 3, and running through the through-hole 1A from one first opening 2 to the other second opening 3; second wiring 21 having one end connected to the other end of the first wiring 11 and the other end 82 drawn out from the first opening 2 as a filter output end, and running through the through-hole 1A from the second opening 3 to the first opening 2; a first capacitor 41 provided between the ground and a connecting portion 31 of the first wiring 11 and the second wiring 21; and the second capacitor 51 provided between the other end 82 of the second wiring 21 and the ground.

Provided is a power converter in which a magnetic core of a noise filter can be prevented from magnetic saturation and the noise filter can be downsized. A noise filter 140 provided in a power converter includes: a magnetic core 1 formed with a single through-hole 1A and forming a closed magnetic circuit; first wiring 11 having one end 81 connected to a power conversion circuit and the other end drawn out from the second opening 3, and running through the through-hole 1A from one first opening 2 to the other second opening 3; second wiring 21 having one end connected to the other end of the first wiring 11 and the other end 82 drawn out from the first opening 2 as a filter output end, and running through the through-hole 1A from the second opening 3 to the first opening 2; a first capacitor 41 provided between the ground and a connecting portion 31 of the first wiring 11 and the second wiring 21; and the second capacitor 51 provided between the other end 82 of the second wiring 21 and the ground.

A power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies power to an electronic device, a communication unit that transmits information related to the power supply apparatus to the electronic device, transmits information for requesting the electronic device for transmitting information related to the electronic device, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the information related to the power supply apparatus is transmitted to the electronic device, and receives the information related to the electronic device from the electronic device; and a control unit that uses the information related to the electronic device to control power to be wirelessly supply to the electronic device, after the information related to the electronic device is received from the electronic device.

A wireless power transmission system, according to some implementations, includes: an antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals for both data transmission and power transmission; and a wireless device coupled with the antenna, the wireless device configured to cause the antenna to transmit the radio frequency signals for the data transmission and the power transmission; wherein the wireless device includes a communication module configured to perform data transmission operations with respect to power transmission operations according to a temporal schedule; and wherein the temporal schedule specifies occurrence of the data transmission operations and the power transmission operations at different intervals.