JP2012244696A - Inverter generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inverter generator that can fully use the output of a generator making it possible to selectively and surely output a three-phase AC or single-phase AC with a desired voltage and phase.SOLUTION: An inverter generator comprises: a first, second, and third inverter 22a, 22b, and 22c; a first, second, and third control unit 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2 which perform on-off control of those switching elements, and make the first inverter work as a master, and the second and third inverters work as slaves; a three-phase output terminal 26e series-connected to a U-phase terminal or the like and a single-phase output terminal 26f parallel-connected to the U-phase terminal or the like; and an engine control unit 28 which communicates the output of a change-over switch 30e to the first control unit or the like, and thereby makes a change-over mechanism 26 operate to output a three-phase or single phase AC. The control units control on-off of the switching elements so that the output of the second and third inverters will become a three-phase or single-phase AC corresponding to the output of the change-over switch based on the output of the first inverter.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inverter generator, and more particularly to an inverter generator that selectively outputs three-phase alternating current and single-phase alternating current.

  As an inverter generator that selectively outputs three-phase alternating current and single-phase alternating current, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the inverter generator described in Patent Document 1, three sets (three) of single-phase inverter generators are connected in parallel, and three-phase AC and single-phase AC can be selectively output from the output. doing.

JP 2010-206904 A

  In the inverter generator described in Patent Document 1, one inverter control circuit operates the inverter drive circuits of three sets of single-phase inverter generators to selectively output three-phase AC or single-phase AC. It is composed.

  Three sets of generators must output alternating current with the same voltage and the same phase if they are single phase, and with the same voltage and phases that are 120 degrees different from each other if they are three phases. It is not easy to synchronize the outputs. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is not clear how to synchronize, and thus it is difficult to reliably obtain a three-phase output and a single-phase output having a desired voltage and phase, and power generation. There was envy that the output of the machine could not be fully utilized.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to generate an inverter power generator that can selectively and reliably output a three-phase alternating current and a single-phase alternating current having a desired voltage and phase so that the output of the generator can be fully utilized. Is to provide a machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the inverter generator according to claim 1, the first, second and third windings wound around the power generation unit driven by the engine, and the first, Each of the first and second windings is connected to the second and third windings and includes a switching element for direct current conversion and alternating current conversion. When the switching element for direct current conversion is turned on / off, the first, second, second The alternating current output from the three windings is converted into direct current, and the switching element for alternating current conversion is turned on / off based on a PWM signal generated using a reference sine wave of an output voltage waveform and a carrier. The first, second, and third inverters that convert the converted direct current into alternating current of a target frequency, and the switching elements for the direct current conversion and the alternating current conversion of the first, second, and third inverters.・ With controlling off A first control unit that is connected to be communicable with each other, and operates with the first inverter as a master, and second and third control units that operate with the second and third inverters as slaves, and the first, second, A three-phase output terminal connected in series to each of a terminal group connected to a third inverter and outputting the AC output as one of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase, and a neutral terminal of the terminal group; While being connected in parallel to the terminal group, a single-phase output terminal connected in series to the neutral terminal, a three-phase / single-phase changeover switch provided for user operation, and controlling the operation of the engine, The output of the changeover switch is communicated to the first, second, and third control units, and the changeover mechanism is operated according to the output of the changeover switch to output either the three-phase alternating current or the single-phase alternating current. Engine control And the first, second, and third control units output the changeover switch that communicates the outputs of the second and third inverters from the engine control unit with reference to the output of the first inverter. The switching element is controlled to be turned on and off so that a three-phase alternating current or a single-phase alternating current corresponding to the above-mentioned is obtained.

  The inverter generator according to claim 2 is configured such that a filter is inserted between each of the first, second, and third inverters, the U-phase terminal, the V-phase terminal, and the W-phase terminal.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 3, when the first, second, and third control units output the three-phase alternating current, the output from the first inverter constituting the master is used as a reference. The on / off state of the switching element is controlled so that the phase of the output of the second and third inverters becomes a target value.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 4, the engine control unit energizes one of the first, second, and third windings to operate the power generation unit as an electric motor, thereby causing the engine to operate. Configured to start.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 5, the power generation unit includes a stator fixed to a crankcase of the engine and a rotor that is rotatably arranged around the stator and also serves as a flywheel. The first, second and third windings are wound around the stator or the rotor at predetermined intervals.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 1, the inverter generator is connected to the first, second, and third windings wound around the power generation unit driven by the engine, and is used for DC conversion and AC conversion. The first, second, and third inverters having switching elements and the switching elements for DC conversion and AC conversion are controlled on and off, and connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The first inverter is used as a master. The first control unit to be operated, the second and third control units to be operated as slaves, and the first, second, and third inverters to be operated as slaves, and the AC output is converted to U phase and V phase, respectively. , A three-phase output terminal connected in series to a terminal group that outputs as one of the W phases and a neutral terminal of the terminal group, and a single phase that is connected in parallel to the terminal group and connected in series to the neutral terminal Output terminal and three-phase output A switching mechanism for switching between a terminal and a single-phase output terminal, and controls the operation of the engine, and communicates the output of a three-phase / single-phase selector switch provided for user operation to the first, second, and third control units. And an engine control unit that operates the switching mechanism in accordance with the output of the changeover switch to output either a three-phase alternating current or a single-phase alternating current, and the first, second, and third control units are the first, Based on the output of the inverter, the ON / OFF of the switching element is controlled so that the output of the second and third inverters becomes a three-phase AC or a single-phase AC according to the output of the changeover switch communicated from the engine control unit. Because it is configured, the three-phase AC and single-phase AC of the desired voltage can be selectively and reliably output according to the output of the changeover switch that can be operated by the user, and the generator output can be fully utilized Rukoto can.

  That is, the first inverter is a master, the second and third inverters are slaves, and the first, second, and third control units are based on the output of the first inverter, and the outputs of the second and third inverters are from the engine control unit. Since it is configured to control the on / off of the switching elements so that it becomes a three-phase AC or a single-phase AC according to the output of the switch to be communicated, the outputs of the three sets of generators can be easily synchronized If it is a single phase, the same voltage and phase can be output with the same voltage, and if it is a three phase, the AC voltage can be output with 120 degrees different from each other with the same voltage. Output and single-phase output can be obtained reliably.

  In addition, since the single-phase output terminal is connected in parallel to the terminal group constituting the three-phase output terminal, either the three-phase AC or the single-phase AC can be easily output according to the output of the changeover switch. The generator output can be fully utilized.

  In addition, since the engine control unit that controls the operation of the engine is provided separately from the first, second, and third control units that control the operation of the first, second, and third inverters, the operation of the inverter generator The operation of the engine can be controlled independently, and the convenience as an engine generator can be improved.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 2, since the first, second, and third inverters, the U-phase terminal, the V-phase terminal, and the W-phase terminal are configured to insert the filters, respectively, In addition to the effects described above, a three-phase output can be obtained from a single-phase output from which noise has been removed by a filter, and a three-phase alternating current or a single-phase alternating current having a smooth waveform can be output.

  That is, it is not a configuration in which a three-phase alternating current is immediately output from the inverter and a noise is removed by inserting a filter between the output terminal of the subsequent stage, and a noise is obtained by inserting a filter between the inverter and the U-phase terminal. Therefore, a smooth waveform three-phase alternating current or single-phase alternating current can be output.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 3, when the first, second, and third control units output the three-phase alternating current, the second, second, and second outputs are based on the output from the first inverter that constitutes the master. Since the ON / OFF of the switching element is controlled so that the phase of the output of the three inverters becomes a target value, in addition to the above effect, a three-phase AC or a single-phase AC with a smoother waveform is output. In addition, a three-phase output and a single-phase output having a desired voltage and phase can be obtained more reliably.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 4, the engine control unit is configured to start the engine by energizing one of the first, second, and third windings to operate the power generation unit as an electric motor. Therefore, in addition to the effects described above, the engine can be started easily without requiring a starting cell motor or the like.

  In the inverter generator according to claim 5, the power generation unit includes a stator fixed to the crankcase of the engine and a rotor that is rotatably arranged around the stator and also serves as a flywheel. Since the second and third windings are wound around the stator or the rotor at predetermined intervals, in addition to the effects described above, the configuration as an engine generator can be made compact.

1 is a block diagram generally showing an inverter generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the crankcase of the engine of the inverter generator of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the inverter part of the inverter generator of FIG. 1 in detail. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the inverter part of the inverter generator of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the filter part of the inverter generator of FIG. 1 in detail. Similarly, it is a circuit diagram showing in detail the configuration of the filter section of the inverter generator of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the engine control part of the inverter generator of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the engine control part of the inverter generator of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows more concretely the operation | movement of the control part of the inverter part of the inverter generator of FIG. FIG. 9 is a time chart for explaining a reference signal and a synchronization signal used in the configuration of FIG. 8. 7 is a time chart showing switching from three-phase output to single-phase output by the processing of the flow chart. Similarly, FIG. 8 is a time chart showing switching from single-phase output to three-phase output by the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 7.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing an inverter generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram generally showing an inverter generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an inverter generator. The inverter generator 10 includes an engine (internal combustion engine) 12 and has a rated output of about 5 kW (50 A at 100 V AC). The engine 12 is a spark ignition type air-cooled engine using gasoline as fuel.

  A throttle valve 12b and a choke valve 12c are disposed in the intake pipe 12a of the engine 12. The throttle valve 12b is connected to a step (throttle) motor 12d. The choke valve 12c is also connected to a choke motor (also comprising a step motor) 12e.

  The engine 12 includes a battery 14 having a capacity of about 12V, and when the step motor 12d and the choke motor 12e are energized from the battery 14, the throttle valve 12b and the choke valve 12c are driven to open and close. The engine 12 includes a power generation unit (shown as “ALT”) 16.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the crankcase 12f of the engine 12 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the power generation unit 16 includes a stator 16a fixed to the crankcase 12f and a rotor 16b that also serves as a flywheel and is rotatably disposed around the stator 16a.

  The stator 16a includes 30 protrusions, 27 of which 3 sets of three-phase output windings (main windings) 18 composed of U, V, and W phases are wound, and 3 Similarly, a set of three-phase output windings (sub-windings) 20 consisting of U, V, and W are wound. Three sets of output windings 18 consist of 18a, 18b and 18c.

  Inside the rotor 16b arranged outside the stator 16a, a plurality of pairs of permanent magnets 16b1 are alternately attached to the magnetic poles magnetized in the radial direction so as to face the output windings 18 and 20.

  In the power generation unit 16, the permanent magnet of the rotor 16b rotates around the stator 16a, so that the U-phase and V-phase are output from the 27 three-phase output windings 18 (more specifically, 18a, 18b, and 18c). The AC power composed of the W phase is output (power generation), and the AC power of each phase is similarly output from the three sub-windings 20.

  Returning to FIG. 1 and continuing the description, the inverter generator 10 according to this embodiment is roughly divided into an output winding 18 wound around the power generation unit 16, an inverter unit (indicated as "INV") 22, , A filter unit (shown as “Filter”) 24, an output unit (shown as “OUT”) 26, an engine control unit (shown as “ECU”) 28, and a control panel unit (shown as “Control Panel”) 30. Is provided. ECU (Electronic Control Unit) means an electronic control unit and includes a CPU as described later.

  As shown in the figure, the characteristic of the inverter generator 10 according to this embodiment is that three sets (three) of single-phase inverter generators (inverters) are connected in parallel, and the desired voltage and phase are output from the output. The three-phase alternating current and single-phase alternating current can be selectively and reliably output.

  That is, the inverter generator 10 includes three sets of windings including the first, second, and third output windings 18a, 18b, and 18c connected in parallel, and the first, second, and third inverters (first and second inverters). 1, 2, 3 rd inverter unit or inverter generator) 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, an inverter unit 22 having three sets of inverters, and 1, 2, 3 rd filters 24 a, 24 b, 24 c A filter unit 24 including a set of filters, an output unit 26 including a three-phase output terminal 26e and a single-phase output terminal 26f, an engine control unit 28 for controlling the operation of the engine 12, and one control panel unit 30.

  Specifically, the inverter unit 22 and the like are composed of a semiconductor chip mounted on a printed board housed in a case provided at an appropriate position of the engine 12, and the control panel unit 30 is positioned at an appropriate position of the engine 12. And a panel connected to the semiconductor chip.

  As shown in the figure, the output winding 18, the inverter unit 22, the filter unit 24, and the output unit 26, each having three sets, are connected to each other with the sets having common subscripts a, b, and c. Configured as follows.

  The first, second, and third inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c constituting the inverter unit 22 are respectively composed of FET (field effect transistor) and SCR (thyristor) integrated power modules 22a1, 22b1, and 22c1, and 32-bit CPU 22a2 (first control unit), 22b2 (second control unit), 22c2 (third control unit), and various sensors (not shown) such as a voltage / current sensor for detecting the voltage and current of the power generation output. . The CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2 are connected to each other via a communication line 28d so that they can communicate with each other.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the inverter unit 22 in detail. Hereinafter, the group a will be described as an example, but the configuration of each group is basically the same, and therefore the description of the group a is valid for the groups b and c.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the power module 22a1 includes a mixed bridge circuit 22a11 in which three SCRs (thyristors (switching elements for DC conversion)) and DI (diodes) are bridge-connected, and four FETs (field effect transistors). (Switching element for AC conversion) is configured from an H-bridge circuit 22a12 that is H-bridge connected.

  Three-phase AC power output (power generation) from the U-phase terminal 18a1, V-phase terminal 18a2, and W-phase terminal 18a3 of the output winding 18a wound around the power generation unit 16 is input to the corresponding first inverter 22a, In the mixed bridge circuit 22a11 of the power module 22a1, the signal is input to the midpoint of the SCR and DI.

  In the mixed bridge circuit 22a11, the gate of the SCR is connected to the battery 14 via a driver circuit (not shown). Energization (ON, conduction (ignition)) and energization stop (OFF (non-conduction)) from the battery 14 via the driver circuit are controlled by the CPU 22a2.

  That is, the CPU 22a2 conducts (ignites) the SCR gate at a conduction angle (ignition angle) corresponding to the target output voltage based on outputs of various sensors such as a voltage / current sensor, and outputs the output winding 18a. Is converted to a direct current of the output voltage.

  The DC output from the mixing bridge circuit 22a11 is input to the H bridge circuit 22a12 of the FET. In the H-bridge circuit 22a12, the FET is connected to the battery 14, and the energization (ON (conduction)) and energization stop (OFF (non-conduction)) are controlled by the CPU 22a2, so that the input direct current The output is converted into alternating current at a predetermined frequency (for example, a commercial frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz).

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the H-bridge circuit 22a12.

  That is, the CPU 22a2 generates and generates a reference sine wave (signal wave, indicated by a solid line at the top) of a predetermined frequency (that is, commercial frequency 50 Hz or 60 Hz) of the target output voltage waveform as shown in FIG. A reference sine wave is input, and a comparator (not shown) is compared with a carrier (for example, a 20 kHz carrier wave) to generate a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal, and an H bridge is generated based on the generated PWM signal. The FET of the circuit 22a12 is turned on / off.

  In FIG. 4, the broken line at the bottom shows the target output voltage waveform. The period T (step) of the PWM signal (PWM waveform) is actually much shorter, but is exaggerated in the figure for convenience of understanding.

  The inverter unit 22 is connected to the filter unit 24.

  The filter unit 24 includes LC filters (low-pass filters) 24a1, 24b1, and 24c1 for removing harmonics and noise filters 24a2, 24b2, and 24c2 for removing noise, and the AC output converted by the inverter unit 22 is an LC filter 24a1, 24b1, 24c1 and noise filters 24a2, 24b2, 24c2 are input to remove harmonics and noise.

  FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration of the LC filter 24a1, and FIG. 6 shows a circuit configuration of the noise filter 24a2. Although not shown, the circuit configurations of the LC filters 24b1 and 24c1 and the noise filters 24b2 and 24c2 are the same.

  The inverter unit 22 is connected to the output unit 26 via the filter unit 24.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the output unit 26 is connected to the first, second, and third inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c, and outputs the AC output as one of the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase. A three-phase output terminal 26e connected in series to a group 26a, 26b, 26c and a neutral terminal (neutral point) 26d of the terminal group, and a parallel terminal connected to the terminal groups 26a, 26b, 26c, and a neutral terminal 26d and a single-phase output terminal 26f connected in series.

  More specifically, the output unit 26 is connected to the first inverter 22a and outputs an AC output as a U phase, and is connected to the second inverter 22b and outputs an AC output as a V phase. Connected in series to a V-phase terminal 26b, a W-phase terminal 26c connected to the third inverter 22c and outputting an AC output as a W-phase, and a neutral O-phase terminal (neutral point) 26d ( A four-phase (three-wire) output terminal 26e is provided.

  Further, the output unit 26 is connected in parallel to the U-phase terminal 26a, the V-phase terminal 26b, and the W-phase terminal 26c, and is connected in series to the O-phase terminal 26d (two wires), a single-phase output terminal 26f, A switching mechanism 26g for switching between the three-phase output terminal 26e and the single-phase output terminal 26f is provided.

  The three-phase output terminal 26e and the single-phase output terminal 26f are connected to the electric load 32 via a connector (not shown).

  Similarly, the engine control unit 28 includes a 32-bit CPU 28c to control the operation of the engine 12, and the CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2 of the inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c, a CAN (Control Area Network) BUS (bus) 28a, and a CAN / The CPU 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2 (first, second, and third control units) are communicably connected to each other through an F (Interface) 28b. The output of the output winding (sub-winding) 20 is supplied to these CPUs 22a2, 22b2, 22c2, and 28c as operating power.

  The engine control unit 28 includes a starter generator driver (STG DRV) 28d that operates the output winding 18c as a starter (starter) of the engine 12 in addition to the operation as a generator (generator). That is, in this embodiment, the power generation unit 16 is also operated as an electric motor by energizing any one of the output windings 18a, 18b, and 18c (for example, the output winding 18c).

  The starter generator driver 28d includes a DC / DC converter 28d1. As will be described later, the DC / DC converter 28d1 boosts the output of the battery 14 to about 200V and energizes the output winding 18c in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 28c, and rotates the rotor 16b of the power generation unit 16 relative to the stator 16a. Then, the engine 12 is started.

  The engine control unit 28 further includes a TDC circuit (not shown) for detecting TDC from the output of a pulser (not shown) comprising a magnetic pickup disposed between the stator 16a and the rotor 16b, and a U of the output winding 18c. A rotational speed detection circuit 28e is connected to the terminal and detects the rotational speed of the engine 12 from its output.

  The engine control unit 28 further drives a communication (COM) I / F 28f, a sensor (Sensor) I / F 28g, a display (DISP) I / F 28h, a SW (switch) I / F 28i, and a step motor 12d. Driver circuit 28j, driver circuit 28k for driving choke motor 12e, and ignition driver circuit 28l for driving an ignition device (not shown).

  The CPU 28c determines the opening degree of the throttle valve 12b so that the target rotational speed is calculated according to the AC output to be supplied to the electric load 32, and supplies it to the step motor 12d via the driver circuit 28j. To control.

  The control panel unit 30 is provided separately from the engine 12, and is connected to a remote control box (not shown) that can be carried by the user via a wireless (or wired) wireless (remote) I / F 30a, and an LED 30b. And an LCD 30c, a KEY switch (main switch) 30d for instructing operation (start) / stop of the inverter generator 10 that can be operated by the user, and between the three-phase AC and the single-phase AC of the output of the inverter generator 10 Is provided with a three-phase / single-phase changeover switch 30e.

  The control panel unit 30 and the engine control unit 28 are communicably connected via wireless (or wired), and the engine control unit 28 outputs the outputs of the KEY switch 30d and the changeover switch 30e of the control panel unit 30 via the switch I / F 28i. To control the blinking of the LED 30b and the LCD 30c of the control panel unit 30 via the display I / F 28h.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the engine control unit 30. The illustrated program is executed when the KEY switch 30d is turned on.

  In the following, the engine 12 is started in S (step) 10. That is, the engine 12 is started by operating the DC / DC converter 28d1 of the starter generator driver 28d to boost the output of the battery 14 and energize the output winding 18c.

  After starting the engine 12, the process proceeds to S12, the state of the changeover switch 30e is determined, and when it is determined that the three-phase output (three-phase AC) is selected (switched to the three-phase output), the process proceeds to S14. The three-phase inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c of the inverter unit 22 communicate with the CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2, and the switching mechanism 26h of the output unit 26 is operated to output a three-phase alternating current from the three-phase output terminal 26e ( Connected to load 32).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the single-phase output (single-phase AC) is selected (switched to the single-phase output), the process proceeds to S16, and the three sets of single-phase inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c of the inverter unit 22 are similarly processed. While communicating with CPU22a2, 22b2, 22c2, the switching mechanism 26g of the output part 26 is operated, and single phase alternating current is output from the single phase output terminal 26f.

  Next, in S18, until the engine 12 is stopped, power is generated by communicating with the CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2 of the three sets of single-phase inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c so as to output the selected single-phase or three-phase alternating current. Continue (execute).

  Next, the process proceeds to S20, where it is determined whether the KEY switch 30d has been turned off to determine whether the engine 12 has been stopped. The process returns to S18 as long as the result is negative, and if the result is positive, the process proceeds to S22 to force ignition. And the engine 12 is stopped.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing of FIG.

  As described above, since the present invention can selectively and reliably output a three-phase alternating current and a single-phase alternating current having a desired voltage and phase as described above, in this embodiment, the inverter unit 22 has three. The CPU 28c of the engine control unit 28 includes a switching mechanism 26g of the output unit 26 according to the output of the change-over switch 30e, and is configured by a set of single-phase inverters (first, second, and third inverters) 22a, 22b, and 22c. Switched between three-phase output terminal and single-phase output terminal.

  On the other hand, in the inverter unit 22, one of the three sets of single-phase inverters 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c, for example, 22 a is a master and the remaining is a slave, and three sets of single-phase inverters are used according to communication from the CPU 28 c of the engine control unit 28. When the CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2 of the inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c output a three-phase alternating current, as shown in FIG. 8, Vs from the slave-side 26b and 26c are based on the output from the master-side U-phase terminal 26a. The operation of the inverter unit 22 is controlled so that the phase and the W phase output are shifted by 120 degrees each.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S16 that switching to single-phase alternating current is instructed, in response to communication from the CPU 28c, the CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2 are based on the output from the master-side U-phase terminal 26a as the slave side. The operation of the inverter unit 22 is controlled so that the V-phase and W-phase outputs from 26b and 26c coincide in phase, and single-phase AC is output from the single-phase output terminal 26f.

  To further explain the above, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing more specifically the operation of these three sets of CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2, and FIG. 10 is a time chart for explaining the reference signal and synchronization signal used in the operation of FIG. It is a chart.

  As shown in the figure, the CPU 22a2 of the first inverter 22a on the master side includes a reference signal generation unit 22a21 that generates a reference signal of a predetermined frequency (shown in FIG. 10), and a PWM control unit 22a22 that performs PWM control according to the PWM signal of FIG. Synchronized signals 1 and 2 (shown in FIG. 10) for synchronizing the output phase on the slave side with that on the master side (having a predetermined phase with respect to the reference signal) and transmitting them to the CPUs 22b2 and 22c2. The signal control part 22a23 and the communication control part 22a24 which controls transmission / reception (communication) of the synchronous signal produced | generated via the communication line 22d are provided.

  The second and third inverters 22b and 22c on the slave side also include similar PWM control units 22b22 and 22c22, synchronization signal control units 22b23 and 22c23, and communication control units 22b24 and 22c24, except for the reference signal generation unit. .

  When the three-phase alternating current is instructed (switched) via the changeover switch 30e, the synchronization signal control unit 22a23 has a predetermined frequency (FIG. 10A), for example, when the frequency is decreased (FIG. 10A). Even in (b)), the synchronization signals 1 and 2 are always generated and transmitted whose phases are always shifted by 120 degrees with respect to the reference signal (in other words, having a predetermined phase with respect to the reference signal).

  When it is determined that switching to single-phase alternating current is instructed, the CPU 22a2 communicates with the CPUs 22b2 and 22c2 to output the V-phase and W-phase from 26b and 26c based on the output from the U-phase terminal 26a. Are controlled so as to match in phase, and single-phase alternating current is output from the single-phase output terminal 26f.

  That is, the CPU 22a2 generates a reference signal having a predetermined frequency, generates a synchronization signal having a predetermined phase (more precisely, the same phase) with respect to the reference signal, and transmits the synchronization signal to the CPUs 22b2 and 22c2. Based on the output from the terminal 26a, the operation of the inverter unit 22 is controlled so that the V-phase and W-phase outputs from 26b and 26c coincide in phase, and single-phase AC is output from the single-phase output terminal 26f.

  FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram showing switching from three-phase to single-phase output in this embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing switching in the opposite case. When the user operates the change-over switch 30e of the control panel unit 30, three-phase alternating current and single-phase alternating current with a desired voltage are selectively output as shown in the figure.

  As described above, in the inverter generator 10 in this embodiment, the first, second, and third windings (output windings 18a, 18b, and 18c) wound around the power generation unit 16 driven by the engine 12 are used. ) And the first, second, and third windings, respectively, and switching elements for DC conversion and AC conversion (SCR of the mixed bridge circuit 22a11, FET of the H bridge circuit 22a12), When the switching element for direct current conversion is turned on / off, the alternating current output from the first, second and third windings is converted into direct current, and the output voltage waveform targeted by the switching element for alternating current conversion First, second, and third inverters 22a, 2 that convert the converted direct current into alternating current of a target frequency when turned on / off based on a PWM signal generated using a reference sine wave and a carrier b, 22c and the first, second, and third inverters are controlled to turn on and off the DC conversion and AC conversion switching elements, and are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. Connected to the first and second inverters, the second and third control units (CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2) that operate as the slave, and the first, second, and third inverters, respectively. A three-phase output terminal 26e connected in series to a terminal group 26a, 26b, 26c for outputting the AC output as one of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase, and the neutral terminal 26d of the terminal group; The AC output is connected to the single-phase output terminal 26f connected in parallel to the terminal group and connected in series to the neutral terminal, and more specifically to the first inverter 22a. Is output as the U phase, the V phase terminal 26b connected to the second inverter 22b and outputs the AC output as the V phase, and the AC output connected to the third inverter 22c. Is output in parallel as a W-phase terminal 26c, a three-phase output terminal 26e connected in series to a neutral O-phase terminal 26d, a U-phase terminal 26a, a V-phase terminal 26b, and a W-phase terminal 26c. And a switching mechanism 26g for switching between the single-phase output terminal 26f connected in series to the O-phase terminal 26d, the three-phase output terminal 26e, and the single-phase output terminal 26f, and three that can be operated by the user. The phase / single-phase changeover switch 30e controls the operation of the engine and communicates the output of the changeover switch to the first, second, and third control units to output the changeover switch. In response, the switching mechanism 26g is operated to output an engine control unit 28 that outputs either the three-phase alternating current or the single-phase alternating current, more specifically, a CPU 28c, and the first, second, and third controls. The units (CPUs 22a2, 22b2, 22c2) respond to the output of the changeover switch 30e with which the outputs of the second and third inverters 22b, 22c are communicated from the engine control unit 28 based on the output of the first inverter 22a. Further, since the switching element is controlled to be turned on / off so as to be a three-phase alternating current or a single-phase alternating current, a three-phase alternating current of a desired voltage is generated according to the output of the changeover switch 30e provided to be freely operated by the user. And single-phase alternating current can be selectively and reliably output, and the output of the generator can be fully utilized.

  That is, the first inverter 22a is a master, the second and third inverters 22b and 22c are slaves, and the first, second, and third control units (CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2) are second based on the output of the first inverter. Since the third inverter is controlled to turn on / off the switching element so that the output of the changeover switch 30e communicated from the engine control unit 28 becomes a three-phase alternating current or a single-phase alternating current. The outputs of the pair of inverters (generators) 22 can be easily synchronized, and if they are single phase, the same voltage and phase are the same. Therefore, it is possible to reliably output a three-phase output and a single-phase output having a desired voltage and phase.

  In addition, since the single-phase output terminal 26d is connected in parallel to the U-phase terminal 26a, the V-phase terminal 26b, and the W-phase terminal 26c constituting the three-phase output terminal, a three-phase alternating current is generated according to the output of the changeover switch 30e. And single-phase alternating current can be easily output, and the output of the generator can be fully utilized.

  Further, engine control for controlling the operation of the engine 12 is performed separately from the first, second, and third control units (CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2) that control the operations of the first, second, and third inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c. Since the unit 28 (more specifically, the CPU 28c) is provided, the operation of the engine 12 can be controlled independently of the operation of the inverter generator, and the convenience as an engine generator can be improved. .

  Further, a filter (filter unit) 24 is interposed between the first, second, and third inverters 22a, 22b, and 22c, the U-phase terminal 26a, the V-phase terminal 26b, and the W-phase terminal 26c. Therefore, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to obtain a three-phase output from the single-phase output from which noise has been removed by the filter (filter unit) 24, so that a three-phase output or a single-phase output with a smooth waveform is applied to the load 32. Can be connected.

  That is, it is not a configuration in which a three-phase alternating current is immediately output from the inverter 22 and noise is removed by inserting a filter between the output terminal (output unit 26) at the subsequent stage, but the inverter 22 and the U-phase terminal 26a, etc. Since the filter (filter unit) 24 is interposed in between so as to remove noise, a three-phase output or a single-phase output having a smooth waveform can be connected to the load.

  The first, second, and third control units (CPUs 22a2, 22b2, and 22c2), when outputting the three-phase alternating current, use the second and second control units based on the output from the first inverter 22a that constitutes the master. Since the on / off of the switching element is controlled so that the phase of the output of the third inverters 22b and 22c becomes a target value, in addition to the above effect, a three-phase alternating current or a single phase with a smoother waveform An alternating current can be output, and a three-phase output and a single-phase output having a desired voltage and phase can be obtained more reliably.

  The engine control unit energizes one of the first, second, and third windings (output windings 18a, 18b, and 18c) to operate the power generation unit 16 as an electric motor, thereby causing the engine 12 to operate. In addition to the above-described effects, the engine 12 can be easily started without requiring a starting cell motor or the like.

  The power generation unit 16 includes a stator 16a fixed to the crankcase 12f of the engine 12 and a rotor 16b that is rotatably arranged around the stator 16a. The first, second, second, Since the three windings (the output windings 18a, 18b, 18c) are wound around the stator 16a or the rotor 16b at predetermined intervals, in addition to the effects described above, the configuration as an engine generator Can be made compact.

  In the above description, the FET is used as the switching element of the inverter unit 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) may be used.

  10 inverter generator, 12 engine (internal combustion engine), 14 battery, 16 power generation unit, 16a stator, 16b rotor, 18 output winding (main winding, winding), 18a first winding, 18b second winding, 18c 3rd winding, 20 output winding (sub winding), 22 inverter section, 22a 1st inverter, 22a1 power module, 22a11 mixed bridge circuit (SCR (switching element for DC conversion)), 22a12 H bridge circuit (FET (switching element for DC conversion)), 22a2 CPU (first control unit), 22b Second inverter, 22b1 power module, 22b11 Mixed bridge circuit (SCR (switching element for DC conversion)), 22b12 H Bridge circuit (FET (switching element for DC conversion)) 22b2 CPU (second control unit), 22c third inverter, 22c1 power module, 22c11 mixed bridge circuit (SCR (switching element for DC conversion)), 22c12 H bridge circuit (FET (switching element for DC conversion)) ), 22c2 CPU (third control unit), 24 filter unit (filter), 26 output unit, 26a U phase terminal, 26b V phase terminal, 26c W phase terminal, 26d O phase terminal, 26e three phase output terminal, 26f single Phase output terminal, 26g switching mechanism, 28 engine control unit, 28c CPU, 30 control panel unit, 30d KEY switch, 30e changeover switch, 32 load (electric load)

Claims (5)

  The first, second, and third windings wound around the power generation unit driven by the engine are connected to the first, second, and third windings, respectively, and are used for DC conversion and AC conversion. When the switching element for direct current conversion is turned on / off, the alternating current output from the first, second and third windings is converted into direct current, and the switching element for alternating current conversion First, second, second for converting the converted direct current into alternating current of a target frequency when turned on / off based on a PWM signal generated using a reference sine wave of a target output voltage waveform and a carrier 3 inverters and the switching elements for the DC conversion and AC conversion of the first, second and third inverters are controlled on and off, and are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, and the first inverter is used as a master. First to operate The control unit and the second and third inverters operating as slaves are connected to the second and third control units, and the first, second, and third inverters, respectively, and the output of the alternating current is U-phase, V-phase, A three-phase output terminal connected in series to each of a terminal group that outputs as one of the W-phase and a neutral terminal of the terminal group, and is connected in parallel to the terminal group and connected in series to the neutral terminal A single-phase output terminal, a switching mechanism that switches between the three-phase output terminal and the single-phase output terminal, a three-phase / single-phase selector switch that can be operated by a user, the operation of the engine, and the switching Engine control that communicates the output of the switch to the first, second, and third control units, and operates the switching mechanism according to the output of the changeover switch to output either the three-phase alternating current or the single-phase alternating current With the department The first, second, and third control units are configured according to the output of the changeover switch that communicates the output of the second and third inverters from the engine control unit with reference to the output of the first inverter. An inverter generator configured to control on / off of the switching element so as to be phase alternating current or single phase alternating current.   The inverter generator according to claim 1, wherein a filter is inserted between each of the first, second, and third inverters, the U-phase terminal, the V-phase terminal, and the W-phase terminal.   When the first, second, and third control units output the three-phase alternating current, the output phase of the second and third inverters is a target value based on the output from the first inverter that constitutes the master. The inverter generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on / off of the switching element is controlled so that   4. The engine control unit according to claim 1, wherein the engine control unit starts the engine by energizing any one of the first, second, and third windings to operate the power generation unit as an electric motor. The inverter generator described in any one.   The power generation unit includes a stator fixed to a crankcase of the engine and a rotor that is rotatably arranged around the stator, and also serves as a flywheel, and the first, second, and third windings are the stator or The inverter generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inverter generator is wound around any one of the rotors at predetermined intervals.