We present the adopted motion control schemes of a novel current collector manipulator to be mounted beneath a heavy hybrid electric vehicle to collect electric power from road embedded power lines. We describe our approach of power line detection and tracking based on an array of inductive proximity sensors. The emphasis is on the adopted motion control logic for sequential and closed loop motions to detect and track the power line respectively. We implement the sliding mode control approach for the closed loop control scheme as straightforward solution given the binary nature of the inductive proximity sensors being used. The overall architecture of the entire motion control system is presented. Finally, the implementation of the entire control logic in a form of a state machine is discussed.

View full abstract

In this paper, a novel approach has been employed in order to investigate the efficient design of a vector control drive of a high speed PMSM for automotive application using analytical method and real time simulator. Most of vector control drives set the d-axis current to zero to decrease the magnitude of the source current and working with unit power factor. However, the optimal d-axis current is dependent to the motor specifications. An optimal estimation scheme has been proposed and tested in order to work with maximum efficiency based on the operation point. In the high speed application, because of high losses density and low capacity of heat dissipation, the importance of working in maximum efficiency point will be clear more and more. Also, measurement of inverter losses is very complicate in the analytical approach. In this paper, the precise model of the switches has been implemented using real time simulator. Real time simulator, is a complex electronic circuit which is composed of CPUs, FPGA, etc.-s known as an efficient tool obtains very exact model of the IGBTs in order to have the precise losses model of the motor and drive. Both of the analytical approach and real time simulator prove the validity of the optimal estimation scheme.

View full abstract

In Japanese rural areas, there are various types of decreasing trends in customer number of public transportation due to the falling birth rate and the aging. Especially, the trend for route bus is of particular note even though it is close to the inhabitants. Reduction of the transportation-fee surplus in bus operating company is continuing and the local government supports it. On the other hand, the number of people who are unable to go shopping will increase more if the bus service could become impossible. The number of people who are unable to visit a clinic will also increase by decreasing the number of the service. It will be difficult to continue the function of community as the workforce decreases due to the acceleration of demographic aging. In this study, the advantages and the rate of utilization of route bus were examined in Yamanaka Spa area which belongs to Kaga City in Japan. The paintings are displayed on the bus and those are painted by kindergartners in the area. Those bestow a healing power on the passengers, especially elderly persons. As a result, most passenger use the bus in the morning and daytime, and the purpose is shopping and hospital (clinic) visit. About 50 % of passengers are taking the bus once weekly and over. The passenger of 86 % evaluated the painting show as "Good". It became obvious that the painting show played a part to create good ambience for the passengers. Most workers use own private vehicle because the last bus closes between 7 and 8 p.m. in the area.

View full abstract

Power consumption is proportional to the cubic of the velocity. The lower the velocity, the smaller the energy consumption can be achieved for propulsion. To minimize the possible range for one charge is one of the most important issues for the electric boat because of the limited battery stored energy. A slow speed cruising boat is one of the best choices for the electrification of boats. The robust performance of a conventional internal combustion engine is also an important factor for the boat. In this paper, the performance of a newly developed plug-in hybrid electric cruising boat, based on such a kind of design concept, is described. A newly designed boat, with a riding capacity of 30 passengers and the length overall of 9.66 m, is driven by two 10 kW electric motors with 2 propeller shafts, and by a diesel outboard engine of 40 hp. These two power sources can be selected manually. A diesel engine of 11 kW (200 V AC) is used to charge the battery of 9.6 kWh. The cruising boat was demonstrated in public for one month in September 2015 travelling on a river near a Japanese old castle in Wakayama prefecture successfully with more than 200 passengers a day as a plug-in hybrid mode. The high power output of the on-board electric generator has also proved the usefulness of electricity in a case of disaster.

View full abstract