Foreign object detector, power transmitting device and power receiving device for wireless power transmission, and wireless power transmission system

Abstract

A foreign object detector detects a metallic foreign object between a first resonator and a second resonator which is composed of a parallel resonant circuit including a coil and a capacitor. The foreign object detector includes the first resonator; an oscillator circuit capable of oscillating at a first frequency (f1) which is lower than a resonant frequency (fr) of the second resonator and at a second frequency (f2) which is higher than the resonant frequency (fr); and a measurement circuit to measure changes in input impedance of the first resonator. The measurement circuit detects a metallic foreign object between the first resonator and the second resonator based on: changes in input impedance of the first resonator as measured by the measurement circuit while the oscillator circuit is oscillating at the first frequency f1; and changes in input impedance of the first resonator as measured by the measurement circuit while the oscillator circuit is oscillating at the second frequency f2.