Dual Inverter Unit for Rotating Electrical Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating electrical machines with two three-phase coils face challenges in achieving efficient operation and control due to complex wiring configurations and performance variations between multiple power supplies.

Innovation Solution

A unit comprising a first and second power supply, inverter circuits, and phase wires connected to a common rotor, with specific winding layouts and control mechanisms to align phase vertices and reduce current flow, allowing for seamless operation and reduced complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two separate power supplies and inverter circuits are used for dual three-phase coils, then the rotating electrical machine can operate with enhanced performance and reliability, but the system complexity and wiring configuration become excessively complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate inverter circuits into a single integrated inverter circuit that can control both three-phase coils. The inverter circuit includes six switching elements arranged in three phases, where each phase controls both coils through shared switching elements and carefully designed current paths. This merging reduces the number of separate power supply lines and control circuits while maintaining the ability to independently control both coils, thereby reducing system complexity without sacrificing operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If two three-phase coils are used in the rotating electrical machine, then the motor can achieve better performance characteristics, but the control complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor performanceVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter circuit is designed with universal switching elements that can control multiple functions. Each of the six switching elements (first to sixth switching elements) can route current to different coils based on operational requirements. The control system uses a unified control strategy that manages both three-phase coils through a single control architecture, where the same switching elements perform multiple routing functions. This multi-functionality reduces control complexity while maintaining enhanced motor performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If separate power supply lines are used for each inverter circuit, then electrical isolation and reliability are improved, but the number of power supply lines and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidnumber of power supply lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter circuit is segmented into functional modules with distinct current paths for each coil, while sharing common power supply lines. The six switching elements are arranged in three phases, with each phase capable of directing current to appropriate coils. This segmentation allows electrical isolation between coils through the switching elements while reducing the number of power supply lines by having both coils share the same DC power supply. The modular structure maintains reliability through isolated current paths while minimizing the quantity of power supply lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient and smooth rotation of the rotor, reduces control complexity, and minimizes current requirements, even with varying power supplies, enhancing the performance and manufacturability of rotating electrical machines.

Implementation Method 1

a common rotor rotated by a magnetic field generated by the first U-phase wire, the first V-phase wire, the first W-phase wire, the second U-phase wire, the second V-phase wire, and the second W-phase wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4672592A1unit
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 JATCO LTD
  • EP4672592A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4672592A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4672592A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[PROBLEMS] To provide a unit having an excellent system when constituting a rotating electrical machine having two three-phase coils. [SOLUTIONS] A drive unit 100 includes a first battery 2a, a second battery 2b, a first inverter circuit 3a electrically connected to the first battery 2a via a first power supply line 5a, a second inverter circuit 3b electrically connected to the second battery 2b via a second power supply line 5b, a first U-phase wire 31U, a first V-phase wire 31V, and a first W-phase wire 31W electrically connected to the first inverter circuit 3a, a second U-phase wire 32U, a second V-phase wire 32V, and a second W-phase wire 32W electrically connected to the second inverter circuit 3b, and a rotor 10 rotated by a magnetic field generated by the first U-phase wire 31U, the first V-phase wire 31V, the first W-phase wire 31W, the second U-phase wire 32U, the second V-phase wire 32V, and the second W-phase wire 32W.