# US 9,882,522 B2 · Power conversion device, electric power steering system, electric vehicle, electronic control throttle, and electric brake > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,522 B2 - Document ID: US9882522B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/908,832 - Filed: 2014-05-23 - Published: 2016-06-16 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-02 - Assignees: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. - Applicants: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. - Inventors: Nobuyasu Kanekawa; Ryoichi Kobayashi; Tomonobu Koseki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882522B2 ## CPC - H02P 27/04: using variable-frequency supply voltage, e.g. inverter or converter supply voltage - B62D 5/0484: {for reaction to failures, e.g. limp home} - B62D 5/0487: {detecting motor faults (B62D5/0496 takes precedence)} - H02H 7/1225: {responsive to internal faults, e.g. shoot-through (avoiding shoot-through H02M1/38)} - H02M 7/5387: in a bridge configuration - H02P 27/06: using DC to AC converters or inverters (H02P27/05 takes precedence) - H02P 29/032: Preventing damage to the motor, e.g. setting individual current limits for different drive conditions - H02M 1/325: {with means for allowing continuous operation despite a fault, i.e. fault tolerant converters} - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) ## Abstract A power conversion device is configured to convert power supplied from a power source into a driving current of a motor. A first semiconductor switching element of the power conversion device is disposed between a phase output of the power conversion device and the power source. A second semiconductor switching element of the power conversion device is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and a ground. The power conversion device further includes a first semiconductor switching element group. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power conversion device configured to convert power supplied from a power source into a driving current of a motor by using a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, the driving current to be supplied from phase output, wherein a first semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and the power source, and a first diode is connected in parallel to the first semiconductor switching element, a second semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and a ground, and a second diode is connected in parallel to the second semiconductor switching element, a third semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between a winding of the motor and the power source, and a third diode is connected in parallel to the third semiconductor switching element, a fourth semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between the winding of the motor and the ground, and a fourth diode is connected in parallel to the fourth semiconductor switching element, the third diode is configured to allow current flow from the power source to the motor, the fourth diode is configured to allow current flow from the motor to the ground, one of the third semiconductor switching element and the fourth semiconductor switching element is connected in series with the winding of the motor, and the other of the third semiconductor switching element and the fourth semiconductor switching element is connected between the first semiconductor switching element and the power source or between the second semiconductor switching element and the ground. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein a fifth semiconductor switching element is connected between the first semiconductor switching element and the power source or between the second semiconductor switching element and the ground, and a fifth diode is connected in parallel with the fifth semiconductor switching element, the fifth diode configured to allow current flow in a same direction as is allowed by the second diode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power conversion device according to claim 2, wherein a booster circuit includes the third semiconductor switching element as a semiconductor switching element, the booster circuit disposed on a side of the power source of the power conversion device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein a voltage of the power source boosted by a booster circuit controls a gate terminal of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements, and an alternating signal to be input operates the booster circuit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The power conversion device according to claim 4, further comprising a microprocessor configured to control the first semiconductor switching element and the second semiconductor switching element, wherein the microprocessor outputs the alternating signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The power conversion device according to claim 4, further comprising: a first microprocessor and a second microprocessor configured to control the first semiconductor switching element and the second semiconductor switching element, respectively; and a comparator circuit configured to compare output of the first microprocessor and output of the second microprocessor, and configured to output a result of the comparison, wherein the comparator circuit outputs the alternating signal as the result of the comparison. ### Claim 7 A power conversion device configured to convert power supplied from a power source into a driving current of a motor by using a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, the driving current to be supplied from phase output, wherein a first semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and the power source, and a first diode is connected in parallel to the first semiconductor switching element, a second semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and a ground, and a second diode is connected in parallel to the second semiconductor switching element, a third semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between a winding of the motor and the power source, and a third diode is connected in parallel to the third semiconductor switching element, a fourth semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between the winding of the motor and the ground, and a fourth diode is connected in parallel to the fourth semiconductor switching element, the third diode is configured to allow current flow from the power source to the motor, the fourth diode is configured to allow current flow from the motor to the ground, one of the third semiconductor switching element and the fourth semiconductor switching element is connected in series with the winding of the motor, the other of the third semiconductor switching element and the fourth semiconductor switching element is connected between the first semiconductor switching element and the power source or between the second semiconductor switching element and the ground, the phase output includes at least four pieces of phase output, either (i) each of the at least four pieces of phase output is connected to a motor having at least four phases, or (ii) each of at least three of the at least four pieces of phase output is connected to a motor having at least three phases, and one of the at least four pieces of phase output is connected to a neutral point of the motor including at least three phases. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The power conversion device according to claim 7, wherein a booster circuit includes the third semiconductor switching element as a semiconductor switching element, the booster circuit disposed on a side of the power source of the power conversion device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The power conversion device according to claim 7, wherein a voltage of the power source boosted by a booster circuit controls a gate terminal of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements, and an alternating signal to be input operates the booster circuit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The power conversion device according to claim 9, further comprising a microprocessor configured to control the first semiconductor switching element and the second semiconductor switching element, wherein the microprocessor outputs the alternating signal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The power conversion device according to claim 9, further comprising: a first microprocessor and a second microprocessor configured to control the first semiconductor switching element and the second semiconductor switching element, respectively; and a comparator circuit configured to compare output of the first microprocessor and output of the second microprocessor, and configured to output a result of the comparison, wherein the comparator circuit outputs the alternating signal as the result of the comparison. ### Claim 12 A power conversion device configured to convert power supplied from a power source into a driving current of a motor by using a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, the driving current to be supplied from phase output, wherein a first semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and the power source, and a first diode is connected in parallel to the first semiconductor switching element, a second semiconductor switching element of the plurality of semiconductor switching element is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and a ground, and a second diode is connected in parallel to the second semiconductor switching element, the first diode and the second diode parallel with the second semiconductor switching element are connected in an inverse direction, one of the first and second diodes configured to allow current flow between a winding of the motor and the power source, and the other of the first and second diodes configured to allow current flow between the winding of the motor and the ground, the phase output includes at least four pieces of phase output, either (i) each of the at least four pieces of phase output is connected to a motor having at least four phases, or (ii) each of at least three of the at least four pieces of phase output is connected to a motor having at least three phases, and one of the at least four pieces of phase output is connected to a neutral point of the motor including at least three phases. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The power conversion device according to claim 12, wherein a third semiconductor switching element in the plurality of semiconductor switching element is disposed in series with the first semiconductor switching element between the power source and the phase output of the power conversion device, a fourth semiconductor switching element in the plurality of semiconductor switching elements is disposed between phase output of the motor and the phase output of the power conversion device, the third semiconductor switching element includes a diode configured to allow current to flow towards the motor, and the fourth semiconductor switching element includes a diode configured to allow current to flow from the motor to the power conversion device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The power conversion device according to claim 13, wherein a booster circuit includes the third semiconductor switching element as a semiconductor switching element, the booster circuit disposed on a side of the power source of the power conversion device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The power conversion device according to claim 12, wherein a voltage of the power source boosted by a booster circuit controls a gate terminal of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements, and an alternating signal to be input operates the booster circuit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The power conversion device according to claim 15, further comprising a microprocessor configured to control the first semiconductor switching element and the second semiconductor switching element, and the microprocessor outputs the alternating signal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The power conversion device according to claim 15, further comprising: a first microprocessor and a second microprocessor configured to control the first semiconductor switching element and the second semiconductor switching element, respectively; and a comparator circuit configured to compare output of the first microprocessor and output of the second microprocessor, and configured to output a result of the comparison, wherein the comparator circuit outputs the alternating signal as the result of the comparison.