Power receiving device, vehicle, and power transmission device

This nonprovisional application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-059719 filed on Mar. 24, 2014 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to a power receiving device for receiving power from a power transmission device in a noncontact manner, a vehicle including the power receiving device, and a power transmission device for transmitting power to a power receiving device in a noncontact manner.

Description of the Background Art

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2013-154815, 2013-146154, 2013-146148, 2013-110822, and 2013-126327, there have been known power transmission systems using power transmission devices and power receiving devices for transmitting and receiving power in a noncontact manner. WO 2011/074091 A and Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-132171 each disclose a coil and a magnetic shield. Particularly, in the magnetic shield disclosed in WO 2011/074091 A, a double-layer structure configured by a metal sheet and a magnetic sheet so as to face the coil is used.

In the magnetic shield, magnetic flux emitted from the coil enters the inside of the magnetic sheet, thereby suppressing the leakage of the magnetic flux to the outside. Furthermore, the metal sheet blocks the leakage of the magnetic flux rushing out of the magnetic sheet to the outside.

However, magnetic flux that reaches the metal sheet generates an eddy current on a surface of the metal sheet. This eddy current generates a new electromagnetic field. As a result, it is conceivable that this electromagnetic field is radiated from the surface of the metal sheet to the outside, and leaks to the outside.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power receiving device using a magnetic shield having a structure capable of more reliably suppressing radiation of an electromagnetic field to the outside, a vehicle including the power receiving device, and a power transmission device.

In each of these power receiving device, vehicle, and power transmission device, the magnetic shield includes a first magnetic sheet, a second magnetic sheet, and, a conductive sheet interposed between the first magnetic sheet and the second magnetic sheet.

By employing this magnetic shield configuration, an eddy current is generated on a surface of a metal sheet by magnetic flux rushing out of the first magnetic sheet. Even in a case where an electromagnetic field is radiated from a surface of the conductive sheet due to this eddy current, the second magnetic sheet can suppress discharge of the electromagnetic field to the outside.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power transmission system in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a power receiving unit in a state mounted in a vehicle in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a coil unit and a power receiving coil in a state mounted in the vehicle in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram as viewed from below, showing an arrangement relation between the power receiving unit and a magnetic shield in a state mounted in the vehicle, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line V-V in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a structure of the magnetic shield in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is schematic sectional view illustrating a function of the magnetic shield in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is schematic sectional view illustrating a function of the magnetic shield in the background art.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a structure of a magnetic shield in another mode of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view (diagram as viewed from below) showing an arrangement relation between a power receiving unit and a magnetic shield in a state mounted in a vehicle in a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along a line XI-XI in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a power transmission unit in a state placed in a parking area in a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a structure of a coil unit and a power transmission coil in a state placed in the parking area in the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a placed state of the power transmission unit and the magnetic shield in a state placed in the parking area in the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a placed state of a power transmission unit and a magnetic shield in a state placed in a parking area in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a structure of a power receiving unit in a state mounted in a vehicle in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view (diagram as viewed from below) showing an arrangement relation between a power receiving unit and a magnetic shield in a state mounted in the vehicle in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along a line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17 .

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a structure of another magnetic shield in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along a line XX-XX in FIG. 19 .

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a structure of a power transmission unit in a state placed in a parking area in a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing a placed state of the power transmission unit and a magnetic shield in a state placed in the parking area in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing a structure of another magnetic shield in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing a structure of another magnetic shield in each of the embodiments.

First Embodiment: Power Transmission System 1000

With reference to FIG. 1 , a power transmission system 1000 for transmitting power in a noncontact manner will be described. Power transmission system 1000 includes an electric vehicle 100 , and an external power supply device 300 . Electric vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 110 , and a power receiving device 200 . Vehicle body 110 has a vehicle ECU 120 , a rectifier 130 , a DC/DC converter 140 , a battery 150 , a power control unit 160 , a motor unit 170 , a communication unit 180 , and the like.

Power receiving device 200 includes a power receiving unit 210 , and a capacitor 220 . Power receiving unit 210 includes, for example, a power receiving coil 250 , and a coil unit (ferrite core) 260 . Power receiving coil 250 and capacitor 220 are connected in series, but may be connected in parallel.

The number of turns of power receiving coil 250 is appropriately set so as to increase a distance between power receiving coil 250 and a power transmission coil 450 , a Q value (e.g., Q≧100) showing resonance strength of power receiving coil 250 and power transmission coil 450 , a coupling coefficient κ showing a coupling degree of the resonance strength, and the like. Power receiving coil 250 is connected to rectifier 130 . Rectifier 130 converts an AC current supplied from power receiving device 200 into a DC current, to supply the converted DC current to DC/DC converter 140 .

External power supply device 300 includes a power transmission device 400 , a high frequency power device 310 , a power transmission ECU 320 , and a communication unit 322 . High frequency power device 310 is connected to an AC power supply 330 , and power transmission device 400 . Power transmission device 400 includes a power transmission unit 410 and a capacitor 420 . Power transmission unit 410 includes, for example, power transmission coil 450 and a coil unit (ferrite core) 460 . Power transmission coil 450 and capacitor 420 are connected in series, but may be connected in parallel. High frequency power device 310 converts power received from AC power supply 330 into high-frequency power, to supply the converted high-frequency power to power transmission coil 450 . Power transmission coil 450 transmits power to power receiving coil 250 of power receiving unit 210 in a noncontact manner by electromagnetic induction.

(Structure of Power Receiving Unit 210 )

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a structure of power receiving unit 210 will be described. In the drawings, “D” denotes a vertically downward direction R. “L” denotes a vehicle left direction L. “R” denotes a vehicle right direction R. “F” denotes a vehicle forward direction F. “B” denotes a vehicle backward direction B. “U” denotes a vertically upward direction U. These are common in each drawing described later.

Power receiving unit 210 includes power receiving coil 250 and core unit 260 . In core unit 260 , power receiving coil 250 is spirally wound around surroundings including upper and lower surfaces of core unit 260 with a coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 extending along a front-back direction (arrow BF direction in the drawing) of the vehicle as the center.

Core unit 260 has a plate-like shape as a whole. Core unit 260 is configured by combining a plurality of split cores, and these split cores are surrounded by insulating paper. As each of the split cores, ferrite is used. The core unit is not limited to the split cores, but may be a sheet of ferrite.

Power receiving coil 250 and core unit 260 are sealed by resin 230 , and power receiving unit 210 has a flat plate-like cube shape as a whole. A total of four mounting flanges 217 integrally molded by resin and having attachment holes are provided on side surfaces of power receiving unit 210 , and fixed to a floor panel 114 located on a bottom surface of vehicle body 110 , by using bolts 218 .

(Fixing of Power Receiving Unit 210 )

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 , a fixed state of power receiving unit 210 to floor panel 114 will be described. A magnetic shield 500 is located on power receiving unit 210 , and power receiving unit 210 and magnetic shield 500 are fixed to floor panel 114 such that magnetic shield 500 is interposed between power receiving unit 210 and floor panel 114 . As shown in FIG. 4 , a size of magnetic shield 500 is a size including power receiving unit 210 in plan view, and the whole of power receiving unit 210 faces magnetic shield 500 . Specifically, an upper surface of power receiving unit 210 and a lower surface of magnetic shield 500 vertically face each other.

(Structure of Magnetic Shield 500 )

With reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 , a structure and a function of magnetic shield 500 will be described. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , magnetic shield 500 includes a first magnetic sheet 520 located beside power receiving unit 210 , a metal sheet 510 located opposite to power receiving unit 210 with first magnetic sheet 520 interposed therebetween, and a second magnetic sheet 530 located opposite to first magnetic sheet 520 (beside floor panel 114 ) with metal sheet 510 interposed therebetween.

That is, metal sheet 510 is interposed between first magnetic sheet 520 and second magnetic sheet 530 . First magnetic sheet 520 , metal sheet 510 , and second magnetic sheet 530 have substantially the same planar size, and first magnetic sheet 520 and second magnetic sheet 530 are fixed at edges (whole circumference). The planar sizes of first magnetic sheet 520 and second magnetic sheet 530 each are desirable to be a planar area of power receiving unit 210 . More specifically, the planar sizes of first magnetic sheet 520 and second magnetic sheet 530 each are desirable to be greater than or equal to the planar area of core unit 260 .

A thickness (t 2 ) of first magnetic sheet 520 and a thickness (t 3 ) of second magnetic sheet 530 each are around 0.5 mm to 2 mm. As each of first magnetic sheet 520 and second magnetic sheet 530 , for example, a sheet material having a layered structure configured by a ferrite layer as a magnetic material, and an insulating layer is used. The sheet is not limited the sheet having the layered structure, but may be a sheet having a magnetic characteristic.

As metal used in metal sheet 510 , a material that generates less heat due to magnetic flux is suitable. For example, a sheet having copper as a base material is used, and the product name “REMILESS/REMI” manufactured by KITAGAWA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. can be used. A thickness t 1 of “REMILESS/REMI: registered trademark” is about 35 μm.

Although a case of using metal sheet 510 in magnetic shield 500 is described, the sheet is not limited to the metal sheet. Any conductive sheet may be employed. For example, a conductive sheet using graphite may be employed. The same applies in each of embodiments described below.

With reference to FIG. 7 , by having a three layer structure including first magnetic sheet 520 , metal sheet 510 , and second magnetic sheet 530 described above, magnetic shield 500 has a function described below

Most of magnetic flux M 1 that rushes out of power receiving unit 210 enters the inside of first magnetic sheet 520 . However, a part of magnetic flux M 2 rushes out of first magnetic sheet 520 to reach metal sheet 510 . On a surface of metal sheet 510 , an eddy current S 1 is generated due to the reaching of magnetic flux M 2 . A new electromagnetic field M 21 is radiated from the surface of metal sheet 510 due to the eddy current S 1 . This radiated electromagnetic field M 21 enters the inside of second magnetic sheet 530 , thereby suppressing discharge of electromagnetic field M 21 to the outside.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 , in the case of magnetic shield 500 Z in the background art, second magnetic sheet 530 is not provided. As a result, electromagnetic field M 21 generated on the surface of metal sheet 510 due to eddy current S 1 is radiated to the outside.

Thus, in a case where magnetic shield 500 in this embodiment is used, second magnetic sheet 530 is provided, thereby enabling suppression of leakage of electromagnetic field M 21 generated on the surface of metal sheet 510 to the outside (beside floor panel 114 ).

(Structure of Magnetic Shield of Another Mode)

FIG. 9 shows a sectional structure of a magnetic shield in another mode of this embodiment. A first magnetic sheet 520 located beside power receiving unit 210 forms a magnetic path resulting from magnetic flux entering the inside. Therefore, first magnetic sheet 520 is designed so as to have a thickness not causing magnetic saturation. On the other hand, an object of a second magnetic sheet 530 is to suppress leakage of an electromagnetic field M 21 generated on a surface of a metal sheet 510 to the outside (beside a floor panel 114 ) as described above. Therefore, even when a thickness of second magnetic sheet 530 is reduced compared to a thickness of first magnetic sheet 520 , magnetic saturation is not caused. Accordingly, a thickness (t 3 ) of second magnetic sheet 530 may be made thinner than a thickness (t 2 ) of first magnetic sheet 520 . Consequently, it is possible to reduce a cost required for providing second magnetic sheet 530 .

Second Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 , a structure of a magnetic shield of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram as viewed from below showing an arrangement relation between a power receiving unit 210 and a magnetic shield 500 A, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along a line XI-XI in FIG. 10 .

A metal sheet 510 used in magnetic shield 500 described above has a size including a whole surface of power receiving unit 210 in plan view. However, in a case of using power receiving unit 210 in which a power receiving coil 250 is spirally wound around a core unit 260 of this embodiment with a coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 extending along a front-back direction (arrow BF direction in the drawing) of the above vehicle as the center, magnetic flux is intensively radiated/incident from both ends along coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 .

Accordingly, magnetic shield 500 A may be configured such that metal sheet 510 includes two sheets, namely a first metal sheet 510 A disposed beside a first end along coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 of power receiving unit 210 , and a second metal sheet 510 B disposed beside a second end along coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 of power receiving unit 210 , and magnetic shield 500 A is partially located on power receiving unit 210 .

In this case, magnetic flux M is emitted (or incident) from each of end faces 261 and 263 of core unit 260 , and therefore first metal sheet 510 A is preferably disposed so as to include end face 261 in plan view, and second metal sheet 510 B is preferably disposed so as to include end face 263 in plan view. That is, it is possible to suppress the size of the metal sheet compared to a case where a single metal sheet extending from end face 261 to end face 263 . Consequently, it is possible to reduce a cost required for providing the metal sheet, and to reduce weight of the metal sheet.

In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , magnetic flux is hardly radiated from a central part (part located between end face 261 and end face 263 ) of power receiving unit 210 to the outside. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , even when the metal sheet is not disposed at the central part of power receiving unit 210 , magnetic flux radiated to the outside is few.

In order to suppress the leakage of the magnetic flux radiated from the central part of power receiving unit 210 to the outside, the metal sheet extending in the front-back direction may be formed such that first metal sheet 510 A and second metal sheet 510 B are partially connected to each other.

Third Embodiment

While the attachment of power receiving unit 210 and magnetic shield 500 to floor panel 114 is described in the above embodiment, the attachment of a power transmission unit 410 and a magnetic shield 500 to a parking area B in an external power supply device 300 will be described in this embodiment with reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 14 .

(Structure of Power Transmission Unit 410 )

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 , a structure of power transmission unit 410 will be described. The basic structure is the same as that of the above power receiving unit 210 , and power transmission unit 410 includes a power transmission coil 450 , and a core unit 460 . In core unit 460 , power transmission coil 450 is spirally wound around surroundings including upper and lower surfaces of core unit 460 with a coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 extending along a front-back direction (arrow BF direction in the drawing) of a vehicle as the center. Core unit 460 is the same as core unit 260 of power receiving unit 210 .

Power transmission coil 450 and core unit 460 are sealed by resin 430 , and power transmission unit 410 has a flat plate-like cube shape as a whole. A total of four attachment flanges 417 integrally molded by resin and having attachment holes are provided on lateral surfaces of power transmission unit 410 , and are fixed to parking area B by using bolts 418 .

(Fixing of Power Transmission Unit 410 )

With reference to FIG. 14 , a fixed state of power transmission unit 410 to parking area B will be described. Magnetic shield 500 is located below power transmission unit 410 , and power transmission unit 410 and magnetic shield 500 are fixed to parking area B such that magnetic shield 500 is interposed between power transmission unit 410 and parking area B. A size of magnetic shield 500 in plan view is a size including power transmission unit 410 (similar to the case of power receiving unit 210 shown in FIG. 4 ).

Description of the structure and function of magnetic shield 500 is similar to the description referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 , and therefore will be omitted herein.

Thus, also in a case of using magnetic shield 500 in this embodiment, a second magnetic sheet 530 is provided, thereby enabling suppression of leakage of an electromagnetic field M 21 generated on a surface of metal sheet 510 to the outside (parking area B).

Fourth Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 15 , a structure of a magnetic shield of this embodiment will be described. Similarly to a case where magnetic shield 500 A is partially disposed, as shown in the above second embodiment, magnetic shield 500 A may be configured such that a metal sheet 510 includes two sheets, namely a first metal sheet 510 A disposed beside a first end along a coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 of a power transmission unit 410 , and a second metal sheet 510 B disposed beside a second end along coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 of power transmission unit 410 .

In this case, magnetic flux M is emitted (or incident) from each of end faces 461 and 463 of a core unit 460 , and therefore first metal sheet 510 A is preferably disposed so as to include end face 461 in plan view, and second metal sheet 510 B is preferably disposed so as to include end face 463 in plan view. Consequently, it is possible to reduce a cost required for providing the metal sheet, and to reduce weight of the metal sheet.

Although first metal sheet 510 A and second metal sheet 510 B are completely separated in FIG. 15 , first metal sheet 510 A and second metal sheet 510 B may be partially connected by the metal sheet extending in the front-back direction.

Fifth Embodiment

In each of the above first and second embodiments, a case of using power receiving unit 210 , in which power receiving coil 250 is spirally wound around the core unit with coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 extending along the front-back direction (arrow BF direction in the drawing) of the vehicle as the center, is described. In this embodiment, a case of using a power receiving unit 210 U, in which a spiral power receiving coil that is wound around a vertical axis O 2 extending in a vertical direction is used as a power receiving coil 250 , will be described.

With reference to FIGS. 16 to 18 , a structure of power receiving unit 210 U will be described. Power receiving unit 210 U includes power receiving coil 250 , and a core unit 260 . Spiral power receiving coil 250 wound around vertical axis O 2 extending in the vertical direction is disposed on a surface of core unit 260 , the surface being opposite to a surface of core unit 260 that is located beside magnetic shield 500 .

Core unit 260 has a plate-like shape as a whole. Core unit 260 is configured by combining a plurality of split cores, and these split cores are surrounded by insulating paper. As each of the split cores, ferrite is used. The unit core is not limited to the split cores, but may be a sheet of ferrite.

Power receiving coil 250 and core unit 260 are sealed by resin 230 , and power receiving unit 210 U has a flat plate-like cube shape as a whole. A total of four mounting flanges 217 integrally molded by resin and having attachment holes are provided on lateral surfaces of power receiving unit 210 U, and fixed to a floor panel 114 located on a bottom surface of a vehicle body 110 , by using bolts 218 .

(Fixing of Power Receiving Unit 210 U)

With reference to FIG. 18 , a fixed state of power receiving unit 210 to floor panel 114 will be described. A power receiving unit 210 is fixed to floor panel 114 such that magnetic shield 500 is interposed between power receiving unit 210 and floor panel 114 . As shown in FIG. 17 , a size of magnetic shield 500 is a size including power receiving unit 210 U in plan view.

Description of the structure and function of magnetic shield 500 is similar to the description referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 , and therefore will be omitted herein.

Thus, also in a case of using magnetic shield 500 in this embodiment, a second magnetic sheet 530 is provided, thereby enabling suppression of leakage of an electromagnetic field M 21 generated on a surface of metal sheet 510 to the outside (floor panel 114 ).

(Structure of Magnetic Shield of Another Mode)

FIGS. 19 and 20 each show a sectional structure of a magnetic shield in another mode of this embodiment. In the case of using spiral power receiving coil 250 wound around vertical axis O 2 extending in the vertical direction, magnetic flux concentrates on the center (vertical axis O 2 ) of power receiving coil 250 . Accordingly, a size of metal sheet 510 in plan view may be reduced to an almost planar size of power receiving unit 210 U. Consequently, it is possible to reduce a cost required for providing metal sheet 510 , and to reduce weight of the metal sheet.

Sixth Embodiment

While the attachment of power receiving unit 210 U and magnetic shield 500 to floor panel 114 is described in the above embodiment, the attachment of a power transmission unit 410 U and a magnetic shield 500 to a parking area B in an external power supply device 300 will be described in this embodiment with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23 .

(Structure of Power Transmission Unit 410 U)

With reference to FIGS. 21 and 22 , a structure of power transmission unit 410 U will be described. The basic structure is the same as that of the above power receiving unit 210 U, and power transmission unit 410 U includes a power transmission coil 450 , and a core unit 460 . Spiral power receiving coil 450 wound around vertical axis O 2 extending in a vertical direction is disposed on a surface of core unit 460 , the surface being opposite to a surface of core unit 460 that is located beside magnetic shield 500 . Core unit 460 is the same as core unit 260 of power receiving unit 210 U.

Power transmission coil 450 and core unit 460 are sealed by resin 430 , and power transmission unit 410 has a shape similar to an outer shape of the power transmission unit shown in FIG. 12 , as a whole, and has a flat plate-like cube shape. A total of four attachment flanges 417 integrally molded by resin and having attachment holes are provided on lateral surfaces of power transmission unit 410 , and are fixed to parking area B by using bolts 418 .

(Fixing of Power Transmission Unit 410 U)

As shown in FIG. 22 , a fixing state of power transmission unit 410 U is the same as a fixed state of power transmission unit 410 to parking area B, which is shown in FIG. 14 , and power transmission unit 410 U is fixed to parking area B such that magnetic shield 500 is interposed between power transmission unit 410 U and parking area B. A size of magnetic shield 500 in plan view is a size including power transmission unit 410 (similar to the case of power receiving unit 210 shown in FIG. 4 ).

Description of the structure and function of magnetic shield 500 is similar to the description referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 , and therefore will be omitted herein.

Thus, also in a case of using magnetic shield 500 in this embodiment, a second magnetic sheet 530 is provided, thereby enabling suppression of leakage, to the outside (parking area B), of an electromagnetic field M 21 generated on a surface of metal sheet 510 .

(Structure of Magnetic Shield of Another Mode)

FIG. 23 shows a sectional structure of a magnetic shield in another mode of this embodiment. Similarly to metal sheet 510 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , magnetic flux concentrates on the center (vertical axis O 2 ) of power receiving coil 250 , and therefore a size of metal sheet 510 in plan view may be reduced to an almost planar size of power receiving unit 210 U. Consequently, it is possible to reduce a cost required for providing metal sheet 510 , and to reduce weight of the metal sheet.

As described above, according to the configuration of each embodiment, the configurations of magnetic shield 500 or 500 A is employed, so that second magnetic sheet 530 can suppress discharge of an electromagnetic field to the outside even when the magnetic flux that rushes out of first magnetic sheet 520 generates an eddy current on the surface of metal sheet metal sheet, and this eddy current causes an electromagnetic field to be radiated from the surface of metal sheet 510 .

Beside the power receiving device of each of the above first, second and fifth embodiments, power receiving unit 210 or 210 U, and magnetic shield 500 are fixed to floor panel 114 such that magnetic shield 500 is in contact with a lower surface of floor panel 114 , and power receiving unit 210 or 210 U is in contact with a lower surface of magnetic shield 500 . However, a clearance may be present between floor panel 114 and magnetic shield 500 . Additionally, a clearance may be present between magnetic shield 500 and power receiving unit 210 or 210 U.

Coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 is disposed along the front-back direction of vehicle, but may be disposed along a right-left direction as long as the coil-winding axis is horizontally disposed.

The shape of floor panel 114 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings. For example, a floor panel having a tunnel for allowing an exhaust pipe to pass may be employed.

Beside the power receiving device of each of the above third, fourth and sixth embodiments, power transmission unit 410 or 410 U, and magnetic shield 500 or 500 A are fixed to parking area B such that magnetic shield 500 or 500 A is in contact with an upper surface of parking area B, and power transmission unit 410 or 410 U is in contact with an upper surface of magnetic shield 500 or 500 A. However, a clearance may be present between parking area B and magnetic shield 500 . Additionally, a clearance may be present between magnetic shield 500 and power transmission unit 410 or 410 U.

Magnetic shield 500 and power transmission unit 410 are placed on flat parking area B. However, parking area B is provided with a recess, and magnetic shield 500 and power transmission unit 410 are buried in this recess, and a surface of parking area B may be finished to be flat.

Coil-winding axis (horizontal axis) O 1 is disposed along the front-back direction of the vehicle in each of the above first to fourth embodiments, but may be disposed along a right-left direction of the vehicle as long as the coil-winding axis is horizontally disposed.

In each embodiment, in a case where further leakage of magnetic flux from second magnetic sheet 530 in the three layer structure of magnetic shield 500 or 500 A described above becomes a problem, a metal sheet and a magnetic sheet are simply provided on second magnetic sheet 530 .

Accordingly, the structure of the magnetic shield is not limited to the three layer structure configured by the magnetic sheet, the metal sheet and the magnetic sheet. As shown in FIG. 24 , as a magnetic shield 500 B, a metal sheet 510 and a second magnetic sheet 530 may be further provided on a first magnetic sheet 520 , a metal sheet 510 , and a second magnetic sheet 530 . Therefore, as the magnetic shield, any sheet having one or more conductive layer interposed between at least magnetic sheets may be employed.

The shapes of the power receiving unit, the power transmission unit, and the magnetic shield are not limited to the above rectangle shapes in each embodiment, but can be appropriately changed to circular shapes or the like, according to the shape of the coil.

In the description of each of the above embodiments referring to the drawings, when a number, an amount or the like is mentioned, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, the amount or the like, unless otherwise specified. The same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding components, and overlapping description may not be repeated. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended from the beginning to combine and use configurations described in the respective embodiments as appropriate.

Although the present invention has been described and showed in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by the terms of the appended claims.