There is provided a technique for improving the efficiency of a generation
system of a series hybrid electric vehicle The series hybrid electric
vehicle is composed of: an engine; an n-phase generator driven by the
engine; a rectifier generating a DC voltage from an n-phase AC voltage
received from the n-phase generator; a battery charged with the DC
voltage generated; a motor driving drive wheels; an inverter driving the
motor on the DC voltage received from the rectifier and/or a DC voltage
supplied from the battery; and a switch. The n-phase generator has n
armature windings each having one end connected to a common neutral
point. The rectifier has a negative terminal, a positive terminal on
which a higher potential is generated than on the negative terminal, and
n rectifying arms. Each of the n rectifying arms includes; a first diode
connected between an intermediated node connected to the other end of the
corresponding armature windings and the negative terminal; and a second
diode connected between the intermediate node and the positive terminal.
The switch is connected between the neutral point and the negative
terminal.