Abstract: When a short-circuit failure of any of switch portions (13) including switch elements (11) and parallel-connected feedback diodes (12) of an inverter circuit (7) is detected during the operation of a motor (1), a switch portion (13) where the short-circuit failure has occurred is checked for whether it is on the positive polarity side or the negative polarity side. The switch elements (11) are so controlled that all the switch portions (13) on the same polarity side as where the short-circuit has occurred are brought into a conducted state and all the others are disconnected. This prevents a large electric current from flowing into each switch portion of the inverter circuit without requiring any switch to block the power distribution between a motor and the inverter circuit when a short-circuit failure of the switch portion of the inverter circuit occurs.

Abstract: When a short-circuit failure of any of switch portions (13) including switch elements (11) and parallel-connected feedback diodes (12) of an inverter circuit (7) is detected during the operation of a motor (1), a switch portion (13) where the short-circuit failure has occurred is checked for whether it is on the positive polarity side or the negative polarity side. The switch elements (11) are so controlled that all the switch portions (13) on the same polarity side as where the short-circuit has occurred are brought into a conducted state and all the others disconnected. This prevents a large electric current from flowing into each switch portion of the inverter circuit without requiring any switch to block the power distribution between a motor and the inverter circuit when a short-circuit failure of the switch portion of the inverter circuit occurs.

Abstract: The charging system for a vehicle includes: a motor generator which operates as a generator to generate an alternating current when the motor generator is driven by an internal combustion engine, and operates as a motor when an alternating current is supplied thereto; a switching circuit for converting the alternating current generated by the motor generator into a direct current; a first accumulator accumulating therein the direct current converted by the switching circuit; a second accumulator accumulating therein the direct current converted by the switching circuit and having a smaller accumulation voltage than that of the first accumulator; a first opening/closing unit interposed between the first accumulator and the switching circuit; a second opening/closing unit interposed between the second accumulator and the switching circuit; and, a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the first and second opening/closing units.

Abstract: An outer rotor type brushless direct current motor has an outer rotor including a plurality of permanent magnets attached along the inner circumference of an annular yoke such that the magnetic poles face the S magnetic poles. Thin sections are formed by chamfering the radially outer periphery of the two end sections in the circumferential direction of each of the permanent magnets. Magnetic flux passage sections of the yoke providing connection between the thin sections of adjacent permanent magnets are expanded radially inwards. In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, the cross section of the magnetic path in the magnetic flux passage sections is increased, thereby suppressing the occurrence of magnetic saturation and preventing the maximum torque of the permanent magnets from decreasing while reducing their size. Moreover, because the magnetic flux passage sections of the yoke are expanded radially inwards, the external dimensions of the yoke do not increase.

Abstract: An outer rotor type brushless direct current motor has an outer rotor including a plurality of permanent magnets attached along the inner circumference of an annular yoke such that the magnetic poles face the S magnetic poles. Thin sections are formed by chamfering the radially outer periphery of the two end sections in the circumferential direction of each of the permanent magnets. Magnetic flux passage sections of the yoke providing connection between the thin sections of adjacent permanent magnets are expanded radially inwards. In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, the cross section of the magnetic path in the magnetic flux passage sections is increased, thereby suppressing the occurrence of magnetic saturation and preventing the maximum torque of the permanent magnets from decreasing while reducing their size. Moreover, because the magnetic flux passage sections of the yoke are expanded radially inwards, the external dimensions of the yoke do not increase.

Abstract: The charging system for a vehicle includes: a motor generator which operates as a generator to generate an alternating current when the motor generator is driven by an internal combustion engine, and operates as a motor when an alternating current is supplied thereto; a switching circuit for converting the alternating current generated by the motor generator into a direct current; a first accumulator accumulating therein the direct current converted by the switching circuit; a second accumulator accumulating therein the direct current converted by the switching circuit and having a smaller accumulation voltage than that of the first accumulator; a first opening/closing unit interposed between the first accumulator and the switching circuit; a second opening/closing unit interposed between the second accumulator and the switching circuit; and, a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the first and second opening/closing units.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electric vehicle motor that optimally discharges a smoothing capacitor, connected to the input terminals of an inverter in accordance with the condition of an electric vehicle. The device includes a motor drive means, the smoothing capacitor connected in parallel with the motor drive means, switching means operating in connection with an operation switch operated by the vehicle operator, discharging means for discharging the smoothing capacitor, draw detecting means, and discharge restricting means. The system opens the switching means to shut off output from the battery and to discharge the smoothing capacitor when the switching means is open, but restricts discharging during a towing or drawing condition of the electric vehicle.