Patent ID: 7932686
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60Y,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A drive device having at least one electric motor that receives and outputs motive power, comprising: a plurality of capacitors connected parallel to the electric motor and being capable of sending and receiving electric power to and from the electric motor; a plurality of relays for capacitors that electrically connects and disconnects the plurality of capacitors to the electric motor; and a relay control device that controls the plurality of relays for capacitors, wherein the relay control device controls the plurality of relays for capacitors to drive the electric motor in a partially-on-state in which a part of the plurality of relays for capacitors is connected during a system start-up, wherein the relay control device controls the plurality of relays for capacitors to drive the electric motor in a remainder-on-state in which the part of the plurality of relays for capacitors is disconnected and a remaining part of the plurality of relays for capacitors is connected after a first predetermined condition is satisfied while the electric motor is being driven in the partially-on-state, wherein the first predetermined condition is a condition that a first predetermined time has elapsed, or a condition that a temperature of a part of capacitors corresponding to the part of relays for capacitors is higher than or equal to a first predetermined temperature, wherein the relay control device controls the plurality of relays for capacitors to drive the electric motor in a state in which all the plurality of relays for capacitors are connected after a second predetermined condition is satisfied while the electric motor is being driven in the remainder-on-state, and wherein the second predetermined condition is a condition that a second predetermined time has elapsed, or a condition that a temperature of a remaining part of capacitors corresponding to the remaining part of relays for capacitors is higher than or equal to a second predetermined temperature.