Wireless power transmission apparatus, conveyance system employing the apparatus and method of controlling the apparatus

A method of controlling a wireless power transmission apparatus,

• wherein the wireless power transmission apparatus comprises:
• a high-frequency power generator configured to generate high-frequency power;
• a power-transmitting electrode configured to transmit the high-frequency power generated by the high-frequency power generator;
• a plurality of power-receiving electrodes each of which is capable of being opposed to the power-transmitting electrode and wirelessly receiving the high-frequency power from the power-transmitting electrode via electric field coupling using capacitance between the power-transmitting electrode and the power-receiving electrode, each of the power-receiving electrodes being provided in one of a plurality of moving bodies;
• and
• a switchable matching device electrically connected with the power-transmitting electrode and including one or more matching circuits,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• setting the number of the moving bodies having the respective power-receiving electrodes actually opposed to and receiving the high-frequency power from the power-transmitting electrode to an initial value;
• setting impedance of the switchable matching device according to the initial value by setting the one or more matching circuits of the switchable matching device;
• detecting whether or not the generation of the high-frequency power by the high-frequency power generator and the transmission of the high-frequency power at the power-transmitting electrode match each other;
• changing the initial value when the generation of the high-frequency power by the high-frequency power generator and the transmission of the high-frequency power at the power-transmitting electrode do not match each other;
• and
• stopping the high-frequency power generator when the generation of the high-frequency power by the high-frequency power generator and the transmission of the high-frequency power at the power-transmitting electrode still do not match each other after the changing of the initial value.