Drive unit for electric motor
US5969919A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D5/0457
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drive unit for driving an electric motor includes two motor drive circuits disposed in parallel and each consisting of a bridge circuit of switching devices each incorporating a reverse blocking diode, a power switch provided between a power supply and each of the bridge circuits, and a function switch provided between the electric motor and each of the bridge circuits. In case of failure of one bridge circuit, the other bridge circuit is used to replace the failed bridge circuit, thereby continuing controlled operation of the electric motor. While these switches which are associated with one of the bridge circuits are closed, the switches associated with the other bridge circuit are kept open. This arrangement prevents the current from flowing from the power supply into the failed bridge circuit. The failed bridge circuit does not allow the electric motor to act as a generator even when any of the switching devices causes an ON fault.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.