MOTOR/GENERATOR

Abstract

A motor/generator is basically provided with a stator, a first rotor member and a magnetic resistance changing mechanism. The stator has a plurality of coils configured and arranged to be energized with a composite electrical current to form first and second magnetic fields. The first rotor member is configured and arranged to be rotated with respect to the stator using the first magnetic field. The magnetic resistance changing mechanism is configured and arranged to change a magnetic resistance between the stator and the first rotor member using the second magnetic field.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross sectional view of a motor/generator taken along a center axis of a rotary shaft of the motor/generator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified cross sectional view of a motor/generator taken along a center axis of a rotary shaft of the motor/generator in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a pair of diagrams (a) and (b) illustrating simplified cross sectional views of a motor/generator taken along a center axis of a rotary shaft of the motor/generator in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the diagram (a) illustrates a low rotations speed state and the diagram (b) illustrates a high rotational speed state;

FIG. 4 is a simplified cross sectional view of a motor/generator taken along a center axis of a rotary shaft of the motor/generator in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified cross sectional view of a motor/generator taken along a center axis of a rotary shaft of the motor/generator in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a simplified cross sectional view of a motor/generator taken along a center axis of a rotary shaft of the motor/generator in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A motor/generator comprising: a stator having a plurality of coils configured and arranged to be energized with a composite electrical current to form first and second magnetic fields;a first rotor member configured and arranged to be rotated with respect to the stator using the first magnetic field; anda magnetic resistance changing mechanism configured and arranged to change a magnetic resistance between the stator and the first rotor member using the second magnetic field.

2. The motor/generator recited in claim 1, wherein the first rotor member is disposed to face the stator with an axial gap being formed between the first rotor member and the stator with respect to a rotary shaft of the first rotor member, andthe magnetic resistance changing mechanism is configured and arranged to change a length of the axial gap between the first rotor member and the stator by using the second magnetic field to generate an axial force to move the first rotor member in an axial direction.

3. The motor/generator recited in claim 2, wherein the magnetic resistance changing mechanism includes a second rotor member disposed to face the stator with a radial gap being formed between the second rotor member and the stator with respect to the rotary shaft, the second rotor member being configured and arranged to be driven by using the second magnetic field, anda power converting mechanism configured and arranged to convert torque of the second rotor member into the axial force to move the first rotor member in the axial direction.

4. The motor/generator recited in claim 3, wherein the power converting mechanism includes a screw section formed between the second rotor member and the rotary shaft.

5. The motor/generator recited in claim 3, wherein the power converting mechanism includes a loading cam mechanism formed between the first rotor member and the second rotor member.

6. The motor/generator recited in claim 1, wherein the first rotor member is disposed to face the stator with a radial gap being formed between the first rotor member and the stator such that the first rotor member and the stator at least partially overlap as viewed in a radial direction with respect to a rotary shaft of the first rotor member, andthe magnetic resistance changing mechanism is configured and arranged to change a circumferential area of the first rotor member that overlaps with the stator as viewed in the radial direction by using the second magnetic field to generate an axial force to move the first rotor member in an axial direction.

7. The motor/generator recited in claim 6, wherein the magnetic resistance changing mechanism includes a second rotor member disposed to face the stator with a radial gap being formed between the second rotor member and the stator with respect to the rotary shaft, the second rotor member being configured and arranged to be driven by using the second magnetic field, anda power converting mechanism configured and arranged to convert torque of the second rotor member into the axial force to move the first rotor member in the axial direction.

8. The motor/generator recited in claim 7, wherein the power converting mechanism includes a screw section formed between the second rotor member and the rotary shaft.

9. The motor/generator recited in claim 8, wherein the screw section is formed between the first rotor member and the second rotor member.

10. The motor/generator recited in claim 7, wherein the power converting mechanism includes a loading cam mechanism formed between the first rotor member and the second rotor member.

11. The motor/generator recited in claim 6, wherein the magnetic resistance changing mechanism includes a second rotor member disposed to face the stator with an axial gap being formed between the second rotor member and the stator with respect to the rotary shaft, the second rotor member being configured and arranged to be driven by using the second magnetic field, anda power converting mechanism configured and arranged to convert torque of the second rotor member into the axial force to move the first rotor member in the axial direction.

12. A motor/generator comprising: magnetic field generating means for generating first and second magnetic fields when energized with a composite electrical current;drive force outputting means for generating and outputting a rotary drive force using a first magnetic circuit formed by the first magnetic field; andmagnetic resistance changing means for changing a magnetic resistance of the first magnetic circuit by using the second magnetic field.