Inverter and power supply device

Abstract

To provide an inverter having a simplified structure and a power supply device incorporating the same.SOLUTION: The device is provided with a magnetic core, an input coil provided on the outer peripheral side of the magnetic core, an output coil provided on the outer peripheral side of the magnetic core on which the input coil is provided, and a switching means for switching between the presence and the absence of the application of an input voltage to the input coil, wherein the switching means periodically changes the magnetic field around the magnetic core by continuous switching and generates an output AC voltage in the output coil.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inverter and a power supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various inverters that convert DC to AC are known. For example, an inverter is known that includes a switching device that converts an input DC voltage into AC voltage, a transformer that converts the input DC voltage into AC voltage from the switching device, and a control device that controls the on / off of a switch element (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The inverter in the above document directly converts DC voltage into AC voltage by switching on and off multiple switch elements, so it requires a bridge circuit including four switch elements, as well as a control device that controls the switch elements with high precision, which makes the structure complex. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-159670 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an inverter with a simplified structure and a power supply device equipped with the inverter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the inverter of the present invention comprises a magnetic core, an input coil provided on the outer periphery of the magnetic core, an output coil provided on the outer periphery of the magnetic core on which the input coil is provided, and switching means for switching whether or not an input voltage is applied to the input coil, wherein the switching means periodically changes the magnetic field around the magnetic core by continuous switching, thereby generating an output AC voltage in the output coil.

[0007] A plurality of input coils may be provided, the plurality of input coils being arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the same magnetic core so that the magnetic fields generated when current is applied thereto are different from one another, and the switching means may be configured to switch the input coil to be energized by applying a voltage thereto.

[0008] The output coil may be provided on the outer circumferential side of the input coil.

[0009] The switching means may be a switching device that performs mechanical switching using a switch.

[0010] The switching device has the switch and a switching shaft, and the switch has a switching arm that is swingably supported and made of a conductor to which a DC voltage is applied, and a contact member that is electrically connected to the input coil and comes into contact with the switching arm, the switching arm is maintained in contact with the contact member by at least one of its own weight and a biasing member that biases the switching arm toward the contact member, the switching shaft is supported so as to be rotatable or pivotable about its own axis in a position directed in a direction along the swing axis of the switching arm, and a diameter of the switching shaft is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the switching shaft when viewed in the axial direction. The switch may be configured such that, in the non-contact state, the switching arm and the contact member are in contact with each other and electrically connected to each other, while in the contact state, the switching arm is swung away from the contact member, and the switching arm and the contact member are not in contact with each other and electrically connected to each other, thereby switching to an off state.

[0011] The protrusions may be provided at different circumferential positions on the outer peripheral surface of the switching shaft, and the multiple protrusions may be arranged at different axial positions on the switching shaft, with one or multiple switching arms provided for each of the multiple protrusions.

[0012] On the other hand, the power supply device of the present invention comprises the inverter and a DC power supply that supplies power to the switching means, and the DC power supply has a generator that generates electricity by rotation of the rotor, a transformer that transforms the generated AC voltage, and a converter that converts the transformed AC voltage.

[0013] The transformer may have a magnetic core, and a primary coil and a secondary coil arranged on the outer periphery of the magnetic core, the primary coil being configured to generate an AC voltage due to changes in the magnetic field caused by rotation of the rotor, and the secondary coil being configured to transform the AC voltage generated in the primary coil and output it to the converter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, an AC voltage is generated in the output coil by continuously switching the input coil using a switching means, which eliminates the need for a control device and bridge circuit that perform high-precision control, thereby simplifying the structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of a DC power supply. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of a generator mounted on a DC power supply. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of the main part of an inverter. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a switching device mounted on the inverter. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a switching device mounted on the inverter. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are side views showing the on / off states of the switch of the switching device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually explaining the structure of a DC power supply, and Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually explaining the structure of a generator mounted on the DC power supply. A power supply device to which the present invention is applied includes a DC power supply 1 that outputs a DC voltage, and an inverter (see Figs. 3 to 6) that converts the DC voltage output from the DC power supply 1 into an AC voltage.

[0017] The DC power supply 1 includes a generator 3 that generates an AC voltage, a transformer 4 that transforms the AC voltage generated by the generator 3, and a converter 6 that converts the AC voltage transformed by the transformer 4 into a DC voltage.

[0018] The generator 3 includes a rotor shaft 7, a pair of bearings 8 and 9 that support the rotor shaft 7 so that it can rotate freely around its axis, a rotor 11 that is fixed to the exterior of the rotor shaft 7 and is made up of a disk-shaped permanent magnet, an iron core (magnetic core) 12 that is arranged in a space where the magnetic field changes as the rotor 11 rotates, and a primary coil 13 that is wound around the outer periphery of the iron core 12.

[0019] The rotor shaft 7 is rotationally driven by a driving device 14. The number of rotations (rotational speed) and rotation direction of the rotor shaft 7 are detected by a rotation sensor 16 including an encoder or the like.

[0020] The drive device 14 includes a transmission pulley 17 attached to the outer periphery of the rotor shaft 7 and rotating integrally with the rotor shaft 7, a transmission shaft 18 rotatably supported in a state aligned parallel to the rotor shaft 7, a transmission pulley 19 attached to the outer periphery of the transmission shaft 18 adjacent to the transmission pulley 17 and rotating integrally with the transmission shaft 18, a transmission belt 21 wound between the two transmission pulleys 17, 19, a transmission gear 22 fixed to the exterior of the transmission shaft 18 and rotating integrally with the transmission shaft 18, and a motor 23, such as an electric motor, which serves as an actuator.

[0021] The position and orientation of the motor 23 are set so that the motor shaft 23a, from which the rotational power of the motor 23 is output, is aligned parallel to the transmission shaft 18. A motor-side gear 24, which is fixed to the exterior of the motor shaft 23a, is constantly meshed with the transmission gear 22 described above.

[0022] The rotation of motor 23 is controlled by control device 25, and the rotational power is transmitted to rotor shaft 7 via transmission belt 21 to rotate rotor 11. The rotation state of rotor 11 is fed back to control device 25 by rotation sensor 16, so that the rotation state of rotor 11 (specifically, the rotation speed and direction) is controlled by control device 25 to be in a state appropriate for generating electricity.

[0023] The rotor 11 has the rotor shaft 7 inserted vertically or nearly vertically through its center, and rotates integrally with the rotor shaft 7. One or more notches 26 are recessed into the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 11. In this example, three notches 11a are provided evenly at predetermined intervals (specifically, every 1 / 3 of a circumference). Each notch 26 has an inclined surface 26a that slopes radially inward toward one side in the rotation direction of the rotor 11, and a steep surface 26b that rises radially outward from the end of the inclined surface 26a on the side where the notch is deepest, and the entire notch is formed in a wedge shape when viewed in the axial direction of the rotor shaft 7.

[0024] The iron core 12 is integrally formed into a U-shape and has a pair of legs 27, 27 and a main body 28 that connects one end of the pair of legs 27, 27 and has the primary coil 13 attached to its outer periphery. Recesses 29, 29 that accommodate part of the outer periphery of the rotor 11 are formed at the ends of the legs 27, 27 farther from the main body 28.

[0025] The recess 29 has an arcuate surface 29a that follows the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 11, and an opposing surface 29b that faces one axial end face of the rotor 11. The two surfaces 29a and 29b of the recess 29 receive the change in the magnetic field caused by the rotation of the rotor 11.

[0026] An alternating current is generated in the primary coil 13 attached to the outer periphery of the iron core 12 by changes in the magnetic field caused by the rotation of the rotor 11. The closed circuit including the primary coil 13 is provided with an electrical resistance 31, which is an internal resistance such as a conductor or a separately provided resistor.

[0027] The transformer 4 has the primary coil 13 and a secondary coil 32 wound around the outer periphery of the iron core 12 (more specifically, around the outer periphery of the primary coil 13). The secondary coil 32 is configured to output the AC voltage transformed between it and the primary coil 13 to the converter 6.

[0028] The converter 6 has a conversion means (not shown) such as a rectifier bridge circuit that converts AC to DC by rectification, and a pair of output ports 6a, 6b that output the converted DC voltage. One output port 6a is an application port to which the converted DC voltage is applied, and the other output port 6b is a ground port that is earthed.

[0029] Incidentally, each of the two coils 13 and 32 is formed by winding a conducting wire, the outer periphery of which is entirely coated with an insulator, around the outer periphery of the iron core 12.

[0030] The DC power supply 1 configured as described above can generate power efficiently while suppressing the output from the motor 23 to a low output by appropriately controlling the rotation speed of the rotor shaft 7 (rotor 11) in the low-speed region based on the sensing results of the rotation sensor 16. Furthermore, by setting the transformer 4, it becomes possible to appropriately adjust the voltage to an optimum level.

[0031] Since the rotor 11 does not require highly accurate rotation control, if an appropriate gear ratio is set, an operator can manually rotate the rotor 11 to generate electricity.

[0032] Also, a movable mechanism (not shown) may be provided that supports iron core 12 so that it can move toward or away from rotor 11. When an excessive force is required to rotate rotor 11 due to an increase in rotation speed or the like, two coils 13, 32 and iron core 12 may be moved away from rotor 11 by the movable mechanism.

[0033] 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of the main parts of the inverter. The main parts of the inverter include a single cylindrical iron core (magnetic core) 34, a plurality of input coils 36, 37 provided on the outer periphery of the iron core 34, an output coil 38 provided on the outer periphery of the iron core 34, and a switching device (switching means) 39 that switches whether or not a DC voltage output from the application port 6a of the DC power supply 1 is applied to the input coils 36, 37 and that switches which input coils 36, 37 are energized by applying the DC voltage.

[0034] The input coils 36 and 37 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the same iron core 34 so that the magnetic fields generated when current is applied are different from each other.

[0035] In this example, the two input coils 36, 37 are constructed by arranging two conducting wires, each having an insulating coating on the entire outer surface of the linear conductor, adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the iron core 34, and winding them spirally from one side to the other in the axial direction around the outer surface of the iron core 34 in the same winding manner (specifically, the same number of turns).

[0036] In addition, the input side and output side of each input coil 36, 37 are allocated and arranged on both sides of the iron core 34 in the axial direction, but the input sides of the two input coils 36, 37 and the output sides of the two input coils 36, 37 are arranged on opposite sides of the iron core 34 in the axial direction.

[0037] The input ends 36a, 37a of the input coils 36, 37 are electrically connected to a pair of connection terminals 41, 42 (described later) on the switching device 39 side, and the output ends 36b, 37b are grounded via resistors 43, 44. The resistors 43, 44 are constituted by the internal resistance of the conductors constituting the input coils 36, 37 or by separately provided resistors.

[0038] With this wiring configuration, the direction of the magnetic field generated when a DC voltage is applied to one input coil 36 to bring it into a conducting state and the direction of the magnetic field generated when a DC voltage is applied to the other input coil 37 to bring it into a conducting state are opposite to each other in the axial direction of the iron core 34, and the magnetic field changes (reverses). The switching device 39 is configured to switch the input coils 36, 37 that are electrically connected to the application port 6a to bring it into a conducting state by mechanically switching on and off, as will be described later, and to turn on and off the electrical connection between the input coils 36, 37 and the application port 6a.

[0039] The output coil 38 is formed by spirally winding a conductor, the outer surface of which is entirely coated with an insulator, around the outer periphery of the iron core 34 (specifically, around the outer periphery of the two input coils 36, 37). A voltage is generated in this output coil 38 by switching on and off the current to one or more (two in this example) input coils 36, 37 or by changing the magnetic field caused by switching the current to the input coils 36, 37. This voltage is taken out from output ports 38a, 38b, which are the two ends of the output coil 38.

[0040] Incidentally, if the switching device 39 performs connective and periodic switching, the voltages extracted from the pair of output ports 38a and 38b become AC voltages with periodicity.

[0041] In this example, the input and output directions of the input coils 36 and 37 are reversed to make the magnetic fields different when they are energized. However, the input and output directions may be the same and the number of turns may be different to make the magnetic fields different when they are energized, or both the input and output directions and the number of turns may be different to make the magnetic fields different when they are energized.

[0042] Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide multiple input coils 36, 37, and the magnetic field around the iron core 34 may be changed simply by switching on and off the supply of current to a single input coil provided on the outer periphery of the iron core 34.

[0043] 4 and 5 are plan and side views showing the configuration of a switching device mounted on an inverter. The switching device 39 includes a horizontal, rectangular, thick plate-like base 47 that is long in the left-right direction, a pair of block-shaped supports 48, 49 that protrude upward from the upper surface of the base 47 and extend along the entire length of the base 47, a pair of block-shaped legs 50 that protrude downward from the lower surface of the base 47 and extend along the entire length of the base 47, a metal support frame 51 that is L-shaped in cross section and extends horizontally (left-right in the illustrated example), a current-carrying member 52 that is a metal conductor and a straight, rod-like member to which the application port 6a is electrically connected, multiple switches 53, 54 that are turned on and off, and a single switching shaft 55 that turns the switches 53, 54 on and off.

[0044] The pair of supports 48, 49 are fixed to the upper surface of the base 47 at positions near both ends in the width direction in a plan view. The upper end surfaces of the supports 48, 49 are formed on the same horizontal or approximately horizontal plane. The pair of legs 50, 50 are fixed to the lower surface of the base 47 at positions near both ends in the width direction in a bottom view, and the switching device 39 is installed in a positioned state by grounding these two legs 50, 50.

[0045] The support frame 51 is attached and fixed to the support part 48 by a plurality of fasteners such as screws and bolts arranged in the longitudinal direction, with a horizontal part 51a, which is one side part of the angle, in surface contact with the upper end surface of the support part 48 on one of the front and rear sides (the rear side in the illustrated example) and an upright part 51b, which is the other side part, protruding upward from the upper end surface of the support part 48. The sides of the pair of support parts 48, 49 that approach each other are defined as the "inner sides in the width direction," and the support frame 51 is arranged at a location on the inner side in the width direction of the upper end surface of the support part 48.

[0046] A single rod-shaped conductive member 52 is attached and fixed by spot welding or the like to the upper end of the upright portion 51b of the support frame 51 over most or the entire length of the frame, with its axial direction facing left and right along the entire length of the frame 51.

[0047] The above-mentioned switches 53, 54 are provided in the range extending from the upper surface of the horizontal portion 51a of the support frame 51 to the upper end surface of the support portion 49. A plurality of these switches 53, 54 are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals along the entire length of the support frame 51.

[0048] The switches 53, 54 are individually provided for each of the plurality of input coils 36, 37. The plurality of switches 53, 54 (two in the illustrated example) are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, which is the overall length of the support frame 51. Each switch 53, 54 has a plurality of switching arms 57 made of a metal conductor and supported by hinges 56 on one support portion 48 side (specifically, on the horizontal portion 51a side of the support frame 51) so as to be able to swing up and down, and a single contact member 58, 59 provided on the upper end surface of the other support portion 49 and formed in a directional plate shape.

[0049] Hinge 56 has a pair of blades 56a, 56b and a shaft (swing shaft) 56c that connects the pair of blades 56a, 56b so that they can rotate in directions moving away from or toward each other. One blade 56a of hinge 56 is attached and fixed to horizontal part 51a of support frame 51 with a fastener such as a screw or bolt, and one longitudinal end (rear end in the illustrated example) of switching arm 57 is attached and fixed to the other blade 56b.

[0050] The switching arm 57 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate having a thickness in the direction of up-down swing about the shaft 56c as a fulcrum, and its longitudinal direction is oriented in the direction from one of the pair of support parts 48, 49 to the other (i.e., the front-to-rear direction) in a plan view. Correspondingly, the axial direction of the shaft 56c of the hinge 56 is also oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support parts 48, 49 (i.e., the left-to-right direction). Incidentally, a portion of the blade 56a of the hinge 56 protrudes inward in the width direction from the support frame 51 and the support part 48 to which it is attached in a plan view.

[0051] The switching arm 57 is electrically connected to the current-carrying member 52 (i.e., the application port 6a) via a connection wire 61. The connection wire 61 is provided with an elastically deformable coil portion 61a. The elastic deformation of the coil portion 61a effectively prevents the electrical connection between the switching arm 57 and the current-carrying member 52 via the connection wire 61 from being severed by the up and down swing of the switching arm 57.

[0052] Incidentally, a hinge 56 is provided individually for each switching arm 57. The shafts 56c serving as swing fulcrums for the multiple (five in this example) switching arms 57 provided on one switch 53 and the shafts 56c serving as swing fulcrums for the multiple (five in this example) switching arms 57 provided on the other switch 54 are all arranged on the same axis, with the axial direction of each shaft 56c directed along both the longitudinal direction of the support frame 51 and the support parts 48, 49 and the above-mentioned switching shaft 55 (specifically, in a direction parallel to both).

[0053] The switching arms 57 provided on each switch 53, 54 are arranged at equal intervals in the axial direction of the shaft 56c.

[0054] The contact members 58, 59 are individually provided for each of the plurality of input coils 36, 37, and are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the switching shaft 55. Each of the contact members 58, 59 is attached and fixed to the upper end surface of the support part 49, closer to the inside in the width direction, by fasteners such as screws or bolts.

[0055] Elastically deformable rectangular insulating sheets 62, 63 are interposed between the contact members 58, 59 and the upper end surface of the support part 49. The insulating sheet 62 is attached and fixed to the upper end side of the support part 49 together with the contact members 58, 59 by a fixture.

[0056] In this example, the contact member 58 provided for one of the input coils 36 is electrically connected to the end 36a of the input coil 36 via the above-mentioned connection terminal 41 integrally provided therewith, and the contact member 59 provided for the other input coil 37 is electrically connected to the end 37a of the input coil 37 via the above-mentioned connection terminal 42 integrally provided therewith.

[0057] The switches 53 and 54 configured in this manner are switched to an ON state in which the DC power supply 1 is electrically connected to the corresponding input coils 36 and 37 by swinging the switching arm 57 downward (in the ON direction) and bringing it into planar contact with the corresponding contact members 58 and 59. In the ON state, the switching arm 57 is switched to a horizontal position in the front-to-rear direction, and is restricted (specifically prohibited) from swinging further in the ON direction by its contact with the contact members 58 and 59. The swing position of the switching arm 57 in this state will be referred to as the "ON position" hereinafter.

[0058] On the other hand, the switches 53 and 54 are switched to the OFF state in which the electrical connection between the DC power supply 1 and the corresponding input coils 36 and 37 is cut off by swinging the switching arm 57 from the ON position upward (OFF direction), which is the direction opposite to the ON direction, to release contact with the corresponding contact members 58 and 59.

[0059] The surface contact between the switching arm 57 and the contact members 58, 59 is stably maintained by the elastic deformation of the insulating sheets 62, 63. Furthermore, each switching arm 57 maintains stable contact with the contact members 58, 59 by its own weight and at least one (in this example, both) of a biasing member (not shown) that elastically biases the switching arm 57 in the inward direction toward the contact members.

[0060] Incidentally, when any one of the multiple switching arms 57 provided on the switches 53, 54 is brought into contact with the contact members 58, 59, the switches 53, 54 are turned on. Therefore, even if poor contact occurs between some of the multiple switching arms 57 and the contact members 58, 59, the remaining switching arms 57 can maintain their function. In addition, the multiple switching arms 57 are electrically arranged in parallel, making it possible to reduce the effect of their internal resistance.

[0061] 6(A) and (B) are side views showing the on / off states of the switch of the switching device. As shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, the switching shaft 55 is oriented in a direction along (specifically, parallel to) the above-mentioned shaft 56c, and is supported rotatably around its axis by a pair of support members 67, 67 arranged on both sides in the axial direction.

[0062] Each support member 67 integrally includes a ring portion 68 having a circular annular shape and a shaft portion 69 that protrudes in a straight line directly downward from the lower end side of the ring portion 68. A male thread 69a is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 69.

[0063] An insertion hole 47a is formed in the base 47, through which the shaft portion 69 is inserted. Nuts 71 and 72, each having internal threads 71a and 72a that can be threadably engaged with the external thread 69a, are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the base 47. Both nuts 71 and 72 are attached and fixed to the base 47 with the center of their internal surfaces aligned with the center of the insertion hole 47a.

[0064] That is, each support member 67 is detachably fixed to the base 47 side by nuts 71 and 72 in a state in which the vertical position, which is the axial direction of the shaft portion 69, can be adjusted.

[0065] The pair of support members 67, 67 support the switching shaft 55 rotatably or pivotably about its axis in a horizontal position (specifically, in a horizontal or approximately horizontal state) with the switching shaft 55 inserted through the ring portions 68, 68 in the axial direction. Note that the ring portions 68 of each support member 67 may be replaced with bearings to support the switching shaft 55 for smoother rotation.

[0066] The switching shaft 55 supported in this manner is disposed in the vicinity of the inlet side, that is, directly below the switching arm 57 when the switching arm 57 is swung to the inlet position. On the outer circumferential surface of the switching shaft 55, protrusions 73 and 74 are integrally formed so as to protrude radially outward when viewed in the axial direction.

[0067] The protrusions 73, 74 are provided one for each of the multiple switches 53, 54. The protrusions 73, 74 are arranged at predetermined intervals (every half a turn in this example) at different positions around the axis of the switching shaft 55 (circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface), and are also arranged at mutually different axial positions of the switching shaft 55.

[0068] More specifically, the protrusion 73 includes a large-diameter iron round bar 73a that is aligned parallel or approximately parallel to the axial direction of the switching shaft 55 and is welded to the outer circumferential surface of the switching shaft 55, and a small-diameter iron round bar 73b that is aligned parallel or approximately parallel to the axial direction of the switching shaft 55 and is welded to the outer circumferential surfaces of both the switching shaft 55 and the round bar 73a. The round bar 73a has a smaller diameter than the switching shaft 55, and the round bar 73b has an even smaller diameter than the round bar 73a, and the small-diameter round bar 73b improves the attachment strength of the large-diameter round bar 73a to the switching shaft 55. The protrusion 74 is similarly composed of round bars 74a, 74b.

[0069] Furthermore, the protrusion 73 provided corresponding to one switch 53 is formed in an axial range that is capable of contacting all the switching arms 57 of that switch 53 but is always out of contact with all the switching arms 57 of the other switch 54. Similarly, the protrusion 74 provided corresponding to the other switch 54 is formed in an axial range that is capable of contacting all the switching arms 57 of that switch 54 but is always out of contact with all the switching arms 57 of the one switch 53.

[0070] With respect to the switching arm 57, the switching shaft 55 is configured so that, as it rotates or turns, it can be switched between an abutment state (see FIG. 6(B)) in which the above-mentioned protrusions 73, 74 are in abutment, and a non-abutment state (see FIG. 6(A)) in which they are not in abutment. When switching to the non-selection state, the switching arm 57 is held in its swing position at the ON position by one or both of its own weight and the biasing force from the biasing member, and is in the ON state, while when switching to the abutment state, it is swung from the ON position in the OFF direction against its own weight or the biasing force from the biasing member, and is in the OFF state.

[0071] That is, depending on the positions of the protrusions 73, 74 in the circumferential direction of the switching shaft 55, it is possible to set the timing of turning on and off the switches 53, 54 corresponding to the protrusions 73, 74.

[0072] Then, while the switching shaft 55 is rotating in one direction, the state changes from one in which both switches 53 and 54 are in the OFF state (state A) to one in which one switch 53 is in the ON state and the other in the OFF state (state B), then to one in which both switches 53 and 54 are in the OFF state (state C), and finally to one in which one switch 53 is in the OFF state and the other in the ON state (state D), after which it returns to state A again, and this cycle is repeated.

[0073] Then, by simply continuously performing the simple operation of rotating or turning the switching shaft 55, continuous and periodic switching by the switching device 39 becomes possible, and AC voltage can be output from the pair of output ports 38a, 38b. Incidentally, by adjusting the operating speed of the switching shaft 55, it is also possible to appropriately adjust the frequency of the AC voltage to be output.

[0074] Furthermore, the switching shaft 55 may be manually rotated or turned around its axis, but in the example shown, rotational power from a motor 76, which is an actuator such as an electric motor, is transmitted to the switching shaft 55 via gears, thereby driving the switching shaft 55 to rotate in one direction or both directions.

[0075] The operation of the motor 76, such as the rotation speed and rotation direction, is controlled by the above-mentioned control device 25. The rotation speed and rotation direction of the switching shaft 55 are detected by a rotation sensor 77 including an encoder, and the detection results are input to the control device 25.

[0076] According to the inverter configured as described above and the power supply device equipped with the inverter, the generated AC voltage can be efficiently converted with a simple configuration to obtain an AC voltage having a desired frequency and voltage.

[0077] The switching arm 57 constituting the switches 53 and 54 may be formed from a leaf spring that elastically bends and deforms when it comes into contact with the protrusions 73 and 74 and that, when not deformed, contacts the contact members 58 and 59. In this case, the hinge 56 is not required, and the configuration is simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 DC power supply 3. Generator 4. Transformers 6 Converter 11 rotor 12 Iron core (magnetic core) 13 Primary coil 32 Secondary coil 34 magnetic core 36 Input coil 37 Input coil 38 Output coil 39 Switching equipment (switching means) 53 Switch 54 Switch 55 Switching axis 56c shaft (oscillating shaft) 57 Switching arm 58 Contact parts 59 Contact parts 73 Protrusion 74 Protrusion

Claims

1. A magnetic core and an input coil provided on the outer periphery of the magnetic core; an output coil provided on the outer periphery of the magnetic core on which the input coil is provided; a switching means for switching between application and non-application of the input voltage to the input coil, The switching means periodically changes the magnetic field around the magnetic core by successive switching, thereby generating an output AC voltage in the output coil. An inverter characterized by:

2. Provide multiple input coils, the plurality of input coils are provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the same magnetic core so that magnetic fields generated when current is applied are different from one another; The switching means is configured to switch the input coil to be energized by applying a voltage. The inverter according to claim 1 .

3. The output coil is provided on the outer periphery of the input coil. The inverter according to claim 1 .

4. The switching means is a switching device that performs mechanical switching using a switch. The inverter according to claim 1 .

5. the switching device includes the switch and a switching shaft; the switch has a switching arm that is swingably supported and made of a conductor to which a DC voltage is applied, and a contact member that is electrically connected to the input coil and that is in contact with the switching arm, the switching arm is maintained in contact with the contact member by at least one of its own weight and a biasing member that biases the switching arm toward the contact member, the switching shaft is supported rotatably or pivotably about its own axis in a position directed in a direction along the swing axis of the switching arm, a protrusion portion that protrudes radially outward when viewed in the axial direction is integrally formed on an outer circumferential surface side of the switching shaft, the switching shaft is switched between an abutment state in which the protrusion abuts against the switching arm and a non-abutment state in which the protrusion does not abut against the switching arm as the switching shaft rotates or turns, The switch is configured such that, in the non-contact state, the switching arm and the contact member are in contact with each other and are electrically connected to each other, thereby establishing an ON state, while, in the contact state, the switching arm is swung away from the contact member, causing the switching arm and the contact member to be out of contact with each other and thus releasing the electrical connection therebetween, thereby establishing an OFF state. The inverter according to claim 4 .

6. The protrusions are provided at a plurality of different positions in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the switching shaft, The plurality of protrusions are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the switching shaft, One or more switching arms are provided for each of the plurality of protrusions. The inverter according to claim 5 .

7. An inverter according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a DC power supply that supplies power to the switching means, The DC power supply includes a generator that generates electricity by rotation of a rotor, a transformer that transforms the generated AC voltage, and a converter that converts the transformed AC voltage. A power supply device characterized by:

8. the transformer has a magnetic core, and a primary coil and a secondary coil provided on the outer periphery of the magnetic core, the primary coil is configured to generate an AC voltage due to a change in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the rotor; The secondary coil is configured to transform the AC voltage generated in the primary coil and output it to the converter.

8. The power supply device of claim 7.

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