Abstract: A coil component having a core, first and second terminal electrodes provided on the core, and a conducting wire having a winding portion provided on the core and end portions electrically connected to the first and second terminal electrodes to provide first and second connecting portions. The core has one side surface at which the first and second connecting portions are provided. When viewing the one side surface, a wire portion in the winding portion extends in a first direction, and a wire portion extending from the second connecting portion extends toward the winding portion in a second direction. The first and second directions define an intersection angle of not more than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A drive unit for an electric vehicle is comprised of a motor, an inverter which supplies alternating current electric power to the motor, a speed reducer which is connected to the motor, and a cooling system which cools the motor, the inverter and the speed reducer. The speed reducer reduces a revolution speed of a mechanical output of the motor. The cooling system comprises a heat exchanger at which first refrigerant for receiving heat of at least one of the motor and the inverter receives heat of second refrigerant for receiving heat of at least one of the motor and the speed reducer.

Abstract: A coil apparatus having a divided winding conformation and a manufacturing method of the coil apparatus which can prevent a winding from collapsing while achieving a reduction in size of a core and simplification of a structure. A coil apparatus includes a ferrite core and a coil provided around the core. The coil includes at least a first coil portion and a second coil portion, and a boundary end surface of the first coil portion on the second coil portion side is inclined in such a manner that its inner peripheral side is closer to the second coil portion than its outer peripheral side. Further, a boundary end surface of the second coil portion on the first coil portion side is inclined in such a manner that its outer peripheral side is closer to the first coil portion than its inner peripheral side.

Abstract: An electric power converter, electric power conversion system and method that, without using a DC-DC converter, uses and allots the electric power of plural power sources while reducing the volume and losses. At least one phase of the motor is connected to plural power sources and generates and synthesizes pulses from output voltages of plural power sources so as to drive the multi-phase AC motor. A different phase of the motor is connected to one DC power source and generates pulses from the output voltage of the power source so as to generate a driving voltage for the multi-phase AC motor. This arrangement allows use/allotment of the power of plural power sources with a reduced number of semiconductor components.

Abstract: A power converter that is arranged in series with a motor to form a unitary structure through which an output shaft extends is provided with a plurality of coolers and a power semiconductor module mounted on a cooling surface of at least one of the plurality of coolers to supply electric power to a motor. Each of the plurality of coolers is disposed along an extending direction radially extending from an output shaft to be perpendicular to the output shaft. The cooling surface is provided along such an extending direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying a polyphase (AC) alternating current motor with driving voltages. A conversion unit is coupled to phases of the polyphase AC motor and includes a plurality of switching devices and includes, in at least one phase, a first switching device between a bus of an AC power supply and an output terminal, a second switching device between a bus of a direct current (DC) power supply and the output terminal, and a third switching device between a common bus for the AC power supply and the DC power supply and the output terminal. Driving voltages for the polyphase AC motor are generated by selecting a voltage from among voltages having potential values corresponding to the AC power supply and the DC power supply, and the selected voltage is used to operate a switch of the plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A control method for a power converter capable of reducing overall volume of a system and energy loss by using a plurality of power sources and distributing loads to them without a DCDC converter. The power converter has DC power sources and poles formed by connecting various poles of the DC sources. Voltage is applied to a load by switching between poles. The method includes operating a switch between poles of the first DC power source when a voltage command is lower than the electric potential of the second DC power source; and operating a switch between the poles of the second DC source when the voltage command is higher than the electric potential of the second DC source.

Abstract: A coil component having a core, first and second terminal electrodes provided on the core, and a conducting wire having a winding portion provided on the core and end portions electrically connected to the first and second terminal electrodes to provide first and second connecting portions. The core has one side surface at which the first and second connecting portions are provided. When viewing the one side surface, a wire portion in the winding portion extends in a first direction, and a wire portion extending from the second connecting portion extends toward the winding portion in a second direction. The first and second directions define an intersection angle of not more than 90 degrees.

Abstract: An electrical power converter comprises a first direct current line connected to a first direct current source, a second direct current line connected to a second direct current source, an alternating current line connected to an alternating current motor, a controller, and a pulse generator. The controller determines a required torque of the alternating current motor. The controller also determines a voltage command value that substantially minimizes a copper loss of the alternating current motor while providing the required torque of the alternating current motor. The pulse generator generates an output voltage according to the voltage command value at the alternating current output.

Abstract: A coil apparatus that can increase mechanical strength of terminal portions and assure sufficient impact resistant properties and vibration resistant properties even in an application in a severe use environment such as an in-vehicle coil apparatus. Terminals are formed of one metal sheet, and include an attachment portion, an intermediate portion, and a bottom portion. One end of the attachment portion is fixed at each terminal attachment portion of a core. One end of the intermediate portion is continuous with the other end of the attachment portion at a first bent portion. The bottom portion has a first end continuous with the other end of the intermediate portion at a second bent portion, facing the attachment portion, and a second free end. The intermediate portion has a hole in a plane thereof. In each hole, both inner edges that are opposed to each other in at least one direction have an arc shape.

Abstract: A control method for a power converter capable of reducing overall volume of a system and energy loss by using a plurality of power sources and distributing loads to them without a DCDC converter and a combination of a fuel cell and a battery. The power converter has DC power sources, and poles formed by connecting various poles of the DC sources. Voltage is applied to a load by switching between poles. The method includes determining conductivity for a switch between poles of said first DC power source when a voltage command is lower than the electric potential output by said second DC power source; determining conductivity for a switch between the poles of said second DC source when the voltage command is higher than the electric potential output by said second DC source; and switching the pole to be connected to said load in accordance with the determinations.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a function of transmitting electric power between sprung and unsprung electrical components. The shock absorber includes a pair of conductive elements. The conductive elements are coupled electrically to each other. One of the conductive elements is attached to the rod of the shock absorber. The other conductive element is mounted within the tube.

Abstract: An electric power converter, electric power conversion system and method that, without using a DC-DC converter, uses and allots the electric power of plural power sources while reducing the volume and losses. At least one phase of the motor is connected to plural power sources and generates and synthesizes pulses from output voltages of plural power sources so as to drive the multi-phase AC motor. A different phase of the motor is connected to one DC power source and generates pulses from the output voltage of the power source so as to generate a driving voltage for the multi-phase AC motor. This arrangement allows use/allotment of the power of plural power sources with a reduced number of semiconductor components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying a polyphase (AC) alternating current motor with driving voltages. A conversion unit is coupled to phases of the polyphase AC motor and includes a plurality of switching devices and includes, in at least one phase, a first switching device between a bus of an AC power supply and an output terminal, a second switching device between a bus of a direct current (DC) power supply and the output terminal, and a third switching device between a common bus for the AC power supply and the DC power supply and the output terminal. Driving voltages for the polyphase AC motor are generated by selecting a voltage from among voltages having potential values corresponding to the AC power supply and the DC power supply, and the selected voltage is used to operate a switch of the plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A coil apparatus that can increase mechanical strength of terminal portions and assure sufficient impact resistant properties and vibration resistant properties even in an application in a severe use environment such as an in-vehicle coil apparatus. Terminals are formed of one metal sheet, and include an attachment portion, an intermediate portion, and a bottom portion. One end of the attachment portion is fixed at each terminal attachment portion of a core. One end of the intermediate portion is continuous with the other end of the attachment portion at a first bent portion. The bottom portion has a first end continuous with the other end of the intermediate portion at a second bent portion, facing the attachment portion, and a second free end. The intermediate portion has a hole in a plane thereof. In each hole, both inner edges that are opposed to each other in at least one direction have an arc shape.

Abstract: A coil apparatus having a divided winding conformation and a manufacturing method of the coil apparatus which can prevent a winding from collapsing while achieving a reduction in size of a core and simplification of a structure. A coil apparatus includes a ferrite core and a coil provided around the core. The coil includes at least a first coil portion and a second coil portion, and a boundary end surface of the first coil portion on the second coil portion side is inclined in such a manner that its inner peripheral side is closer to the second coil portion than its outer peripheral side. Further, a boundary end surface of the second coil portion on the first coil portion side is inclined in such a manner that its outer peripheral side is closer to the first coil portion than its inner peripheral side.

Abstract: A motor drive system includes a multi-output dc power source providing three or more output potentials, and a switching circuit including switching devices connected, respectively, with the output potentials of the multi-output power source. A controller determines a command apply voltage representing a desired voltage to be applied to the motor, and further determines a plurality of command share voltages corresponding to supply voltages of the multi-output dc power source, from the command apply voltage. The controller produces a pulsed voltage by driving the switching devices in accordance with the command share voltages.

Abstract: An electrical power converter comprises a first direct current line connected to a first direct current source, a second direct current line connected to a second direct current source, an alternating current line connected to an alternating current motor, a controller, and a pulse generator. The controller determines a required torque of the alternating current motor. The controller also determines a voltage command value that substantially minimizes a copper loss of the alternating current motor while providing the required torque of the alternating current motor. The pulse generator generates an output voltage according to the voltage command value at the alternating current output.

Abstract: A power conversion system for converting a dc voltage to a pulsed ac voltage includes a dc voltage source providing three or more electric potentials, and a switching circuit arranged to connect one of the potentials selectively to an output terminal. A controller produces a pulsed ac output voltage at the output terminal from the potentials of the dc voltage source by controlling an on time for connecting each of the potentials to the output terminal.

Abstract: An inverter supply voltage generator comprises an inverter supply voltage computing unit 10, a voltage converter 11 and a battery 12. The inverter supply voltage generator varies inverter supply voltage Vdc in synchronization with motor-application voltages Vu_pwm, Vv_pwm, and Vw_pwm. Thus, the degree of freedom of the switching operation of a PWM inverter 13 is increased, an inverter loss and the size of the PWM inverter 13 can be reduced, and its efficiency can be enhanced without deteriorating the driving efficiency of an IPM motor 14.