Inverter system of automotive motor

• US 7,012,401 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Ohkouchi, Yasuyuki, Funahashi, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Masih, Karen
• Application Number:
  US10/825,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20040222767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 318/801, 318/567, 318/564, 318/805, 318/812, 318/822, 318/139, 324/509, 361/93.1
• US Class Current: 318/801
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/20 characterised by converters located in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

An inverter includes an upper ECU, a communication microcomputer receiving an instruction from the upper ECU, a motor control microcomputer receiving an instruction from the communication microcomputer, a gate driving circuit controlled by the motor control microcomputer, and a switching element driven by the gate driving circuit for converting a direct current of a high-voltage battery into an alternating current to drive a motor. The communications between the upper ECU and the communication microcomputer is performed according to a CAN protocol. The communications between the communication microcomputer and the motor control microcomputer is performed according to a low-speed serial communication protocol. An insulation boundary is defined between the communication microcomputer and the motor control microcomputer to isolate a low-voltage side electric component receiving electric power of the low-voltage battery from a high-voltage side electric component receiving electric power of the high-voltage battery. And, a photo coupler is disposed on the insulation boundary to assure insulation and transmit signals.

Claims

1. An inverter system equipped with an inverter,

said inverter comprising:

an upper ECU operating under electric supply of a low-voltage battery;

a communication microcomputer receiving an instruction from said upper ECU;

a motor control microcomputer receiving an instruction from said communication microcomputer;

a gate driving circuit controlled by said motor control microcomputer; and

a switching element driven by said gate driving circuit for converting a direct current of a high-voltage battery into an alternating current to drive a motor,

wherein

said upper ECU and said communication microcomputer are connected to each other via high-speed communication means to transmit instructions,

said communication microcomputer and said motor control microcomputer are connected to each other via low-speed communication means to transmit instructions,

an insulation boundary is defined between said communication microcomputer and said motor control microcomputer to isolate a low-voltage side electric component receiving electric power of said low-voltage battery from a high-voltage side electric component receiving electric power of said high-voltage battery, and

insulation signal transmitting means is disposed on said insulation boundary to assure insulation and transmit signals.

2. The inverter system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said motor drives an electrically-driven compressor for an automotive vehicle.

3. The inverter system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said high-speed communication means has a communication speed exceeding 20 kbps.

4. The inverter system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said high-speed communication means is a CAN protocol.

5. The inverter system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said load control microcomputer, said gate driving circuit and said switching element are disposed in the high voltage area to receive the electric power of the second voltage battery.

6. An inverter comprising:

a communication microcomputer receiving a first instruction transmitted from an external apparatus;

a high speed communicator which sets a communication speed of the first instruction transmitted to said communication microcomputer at a first value;

a load control microcomputer receiving a second instruction transmitted from said communication microcomputer;

a low speed communicator which sets a communication speed of the second instruction transmitted to said load control microcomputer at a second value lower than the first value;

a gate driving circuit controlled by said load control microcomputer;

a switching element driven by said gate driving circuit;

an insulator, serving as an boundary between said communication microcomputer and said load control microcomputer, which isolates an electric component of a low voltage area receiving electric power of a first voltage battery from an electric component of a high voltage area receiving electric power of a second voltage battery of which a voltage is higher than that of said first voltage battery; and

an insulation signal transmitter, disposed on said insulator, which assures insulation of said electric component of said low voltage area from said electric component of said high voltage area, and through which the second instruction is transmitted.

7. The inverter system in accordance claim 6, wherein said load control microcomputer controls a motor through said gate driving circuit and said switching element, and said motor drives an electrically-driven compressor for an automotive vehicle.

8. The inverter system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said high speed communicator has a communication speed exceeding 20 kbps.

9. The inverter system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said high speed communicator in a CAN protocol.