PERMANENT-MAGNET ELECTRIC ROTATING MACHINE AND DRIVE DEVICE THEREFOR

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a permanent-magnet electric rotating machine with an optimized ratio [Wmg:Wsp] of the width Wmg of the permanent magnets thereof to the width Wsp of the interpoles thereof and a drive device for the permanent-magnet electric rotating machine with optimized relationship between the width Wsp of the interpoles and the leading degree of electricity. SOLUTION: In the permanent-magnet electric rotating machine, the substantially cylindrical rotor yoke thereof which is rotated around the stator thereof has a plurality of magnet insertion holes positioned in the circumferential direction thereof with the interpoles between the holes and permanent magnets inserted into the magnet insertion holes. The electric rotating machine is so designed that the ratio [Wmg:Wsp] of the width Wmg of the permanent magnets to the width Wsp of the interpoles in the rotating direction is substantially [5:1], and the phase of alternating current supplied to each phase is led by an angle equivalent to 1 or 1.5 times the width Wsp of the interpoles in the rotating direction.