Through Perfecting the Air, Daikin strives to make the world’s spaces happier and more comfortable.
Daikin leverages its experience and technology to deliver air conditioning solutions that meet the demands of any setting.
Press Releases
R&D
Products&Services
Highly efficient rare earth magnet motor contributes significantly to reducing electricity
consumption in air conditioners
OSAKA, Japan, March 21, 2025 -The "highly efficient rare earth magnet motor with reluctance torque for air conditioner and its power saving operation" theme by Daikin Industries, Ltd. and Osaka Metropolitan University received the 18th Electrical Technology Award "One Step on Electro-Technology" sponsored by the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, which award ceremony was held on March 19th.
The "One Step on Electro-Technology" award was established by the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan as part of its 120th anniversary celebrations to recognize achievements in electrical engineering that have made significant contributions to social life.
Daikin was recognized for adopting the world’s first "highly efficient rare earth magnet motor with reluctance torque for air conditioners" (IPM motor) to residential air conditioners, expanding its application to multi-split air conditioners for commercial buildings, which has contributed to a significant reduction in electricity consumption in air conditioning equipment. Furthermore, this accomplishment has expanded this technology with its enormous power saving potential beyond air conditioning to other industries, including industrial equipment, hybrid cars, and EVs.
In air conditioners, a variety of motors are used, including a compressor for circulating refrigerant and a fan motor for sending out air. IPM motors are able to further reduce power consumption over conventional SPM motors* while ensuring comfort and high energy efficiency during operation.
In "The Future of Cooling," a report issued in 2018 by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of air conditioners in operation worldwide is projected to triple by 2030. Since approximately 80% of the power consumption of air conditioners is generated by the compressor, raising the efficiency of compressor motors would greatly contribute to a significant improvement in air conditioner energy efficiency.
Daikin is committed to advancing innovative technologies that reduce the environmental impact. It will continue to pursue research and develop energy-saving technologies, globally providing products with even greater efficiency and comfort.
A permanent magnet motor consists of magnets rotating at the center with electromagnets surrounding them. By passing electricity through the electromagnetic coil, the magnets rotate from the magnetic forces of "attraction" and "repulsion." While conventional SPM motors have magnets attached around the rotating part, a central iron core, IPM motors have rare earth permanent magnets embedded in the rotating part to produce an even stronger magnetic force. Additionally, optimization of the iron core shape has increased the reluctance torque (the rotational force caused by the attraction of the iron core), enabling higher torque and greater efficiency.
Room temperature control in the air conditioner is performed by a combination of the compressor motor and an inverter, which finely adjusts the rotation speed of the motor. When an air conditioner starts, the motor rotates at high speed to generate maximum capacity, and then once the set temperature is reached, motor speed is lowered to regulate capacity and maintain stable operation. The air conditioner sustains stable operation for the majority of time that it is in use, and the efficient motor operation at this time has a significant impact on annual power consumption. Control using a combination of an IPM motor and inverter in this way improves efficiency and expands capacity during stable operation, achieving both power saving operation and comfort.
| Awarded theme | Highly Efficient Rare Earth Magnet Motor with Reluctance Torque for Air Conditioners and Its Power Saving Operation |
|---|---|
| Award category | Products/Services |
| Award recipients | Daikin Industries, Ltd. and Osaka Metropolitan University |
| Reason for award | A motor with rare earth permanent magnets embedded in the rotor that uses both reluctance and magnetic torque was combined with inverter technology control technology that performs current vector control without position sensors to achieve operation for both air comfort and energy savings. The first application of this technology occurred in March 1996 when Daikin launched the world's first residential air conditioner equipped with this motor. Later, it was also applied to commercial-use air conditioners, contributing to a significant reduction in electricity consumption. It also paved the way for energy-saving technology in other industries, such as industrial equipment and HEV/EV. |
Find out more in your region.
