# US 7,612,509 B2 · Motor controller

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- Number: US 7,612,509 B2
- Document ID: US7612509B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/782,956
- Filed: 2007-08-08
- Published: 2007-12-20
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2004-11-24
- Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Takahiro Urakabe; Tsunenobu Yamamoto; Yoshihito Asao
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7612509B2

## CPC

- H02P 27/06: using DC to AC converters or inverters (H02P27/05 takes precedence)
- H02P 25/20: for pole-changing
- H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS

## Abstract

A motor controller is provided which can be reduced in the number of the wirings and power semiconductor devices required while maintaining the function equivalent to or higher than that of the motor controller adopting the existing winding changeover scheme, thereby realizing cost and size reduction and life increase. The motor is made in a structure having motor windings opened at both ends. The one end terminals of phase windings are respectively connected to the output terminals of a first inverter circuit while the other end terminals are respectively connected to the output terminals of a second inverter circuit. During power generation, any one of the inverter circuits is driven on all the phases by means of a same control pulse.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A motor controller comprising:
a motor having a plurality of stator windings opened at both ends;
an inverter circuit configured with a plurality of phases of switch blocks whose output terminals are connected to one ends of the stator windings;
a switch unit circuit configured with a plurality of phases of switch blocks whose output terminals are connected to the other ends of the stator windings;
a control circuit for controlling respective switch elements of the inverter circuit and the switch unit circuit; and
an energy storage source connected to respective direct-current voltage input terminals of the inverter circuit and the switch unit circuit;
wherein at least one of the switch blocks of the switch unit circuit comprises a first element and a second element connected in series,
wherein the first element comprises a first switch element and the second element comprises a first diode without any switching elements, and
wherein at least one of the switch blocks of the inverter circuit comprises a second switch element and a third switch element connected in series.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A motor controller according to claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a parallel connection of a MOSFET and another diode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The motor controller according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the switch blocks of the switch unit circuit comprises at least two different elements connected in series.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A motor controller according to claim 1, wherein the switch element comprises a MOSFET or a mechanical switch.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A motor controller according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the switch blocks of the switch unit circuit has a MOSFET or a mechanical switch and another diode connected in series with the first diode.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A motor controller according to claim 1, wherein the same control circuit controls the inverter circuit and the switch unit circuit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The motor controller according to claim 1, wherein said first diode is not connected in parallel to any switching elements.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The motor controller according to claim 1, wherein, during power generation, the motor is configured in a star connection state in a low motor rotation range, and the motor is configured in a triangular connection state in a high motor rotation range.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The motor controller according to claim 8, wherein:
in the low motor rotation range, the control circuit controls the switch elements in the switch unit circuit to become off, and the motor is driven by the inverter circuit such that the star connection state is achieved, and
in the high motor rotation range, the control circuit controls the switch elements in the switch unit circuit and the inverter circuit to become off such that the triangular connection state is achieved.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The motor controller according to claim 1, wherein the second switch element is connected, in parallel, to a second diode, and the third switch element is connected, in parallel, to a third diode.