Patent ID: 7679260

Claim:
An axial gap motor comprising a rotor that is rotatable around a rotation axis; and stators that face the rotor on at least one side in the direction of the rotation axis, wherein: the rotor is provided with a plurality of primary magnet portions, a plurality of auxiliary magnet portions, and a rotor frame; the rotor frame is provided with a plurality of ribs that extend in the radial direction of the rotor frame, and a shaft portion and a rim portion that are integrally connected with each other via the ribs, and the rotor frame houses the primary magnet portions and the auxiliary magnet portions that are placed alternatingly in the circumferential direction thereof between the shaft portion and the rim portion; the primary magnet portions are provided with primary permanent magnet pieces that are magnetized in the direction of the rotation axis, and that are positioned between two ribs which are adjacent in the circumferential direction; the auxiliary magnet portions are provided with auxiliary permanent magnet pieces that are magnetized in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis and to the radial direction, and that are positioned on at least one side of the ribs in the direction of the rotation axis; and each of cross-sectional areas of the ribs which is perpendicular to the radial direction increases from the rim portion side towards the shaft portion side in the radial direction.