Protection circuit, EPS motor control circuit and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a protection circuit, a control circuit of an EPS motor and a vehicle. The protection circuit is used for achieving isolation protection of the motor and a motor driving circuit according to multiple paths of control signals. Comprising an input module used for generating an instruction signal according to received multipath control signals; the protection driving module is used for generating a plurality of corresponding protection driving signals according to the instruction signal; the protection switch module is provided with a plurality of semiconductor switches which are respectively driven by the protection driving signals; wherein the protection driving module is electrically connected with the input module and the protection switch module respectively, so that the semiconductor switch can be switched on and switched off according to multiple paths of control signals; a plurality of semiconductor switches of the protection switch module are electrically connected between the motor and the driving circuit. The protection circuit, the control circuit of the EPS motor and the vehicle have the beneficial effects that multiple signal trigger protection is realized through an additional protection circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicle steering control, and particularly relates to a protection circuit, a control circuit for an EPS motor, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the development of intelligence, the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system has been electronicized and has become an essential component for driverless driving.

[0003] Intelligence puts forward higher requirements for the controllability and safety of EPS. As the most core actuator of EPS, the EPS motor needs to ensure that in case of an accident, it does not fail in the forms of jamming or overcurrent burning out, so that the user can still effectively control the vehicle through the steering wheel.

[0004] Therefore, the protection mechanism for preventing the EPS motor from failing due to accidents is particularly important. In the related art, protection is achieved by turning off the EPS motor drive or power supply through the MCU of the EPS system. However, this method cannot cover the damage to the motor drive circuit and the motor drive chip caused by the damage of the EPS motor, nor can it cover the further damage to the motor caused by the short circuit of the motor drive circuit and the motor drive chip. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a protection circuit, a control circuit for an EPS motor, and a vehicle, which improve the safety and reliability of the EPS system to at least partially solve the above technical problems.

[0006] To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present application, a protection circuit is provided for achieving isolation protection between a motor and a motor drive circuit according to a plurality of control signals; the protection circuit includes: an input module for generating an instruction signal according to the received plurality of control signals; a protection drive module for generating corresponding plurality of protection drive signals according to the instruction signal; a protection switch module having a plurality of semiconductor switches respectively driven by the protection drive signals; wherein, the protection drive module is respectively electrically connected to the input module and the protection switch module so that the semiconductor switches can be turned on and off according to the plurality of control signals; the plurality of semiconductor switches of the protection switch module are electrically connected between the motor and the drive circuit.

[0007] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the input module includes: a logic unit for generating the instruction signal according to the logical operation result of the received plurality of control signals.

[0008] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the logic unit is configured as an AND gate.

[0009] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the protection switch module includes 3 such semiconductor switches; each semiconductor switch is respectively connected between the three-phase windings of the motor and the output end of the drive circuit through its switch terminal.

[0010] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the control terminal of the semiconductor switch is electrically connected to the protection drive module.

[0011] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the semiconductor switch is configured as a MOS transistor.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a control circuit for an EPS motor, the control circuit including: a motor drive circuit for driving the EPS motor, the motor drive circuit including a plurality of power switches; a motor drive chip for generating drive signals for driving the power switches; a controller for controlling the motor drive chip; a power management module for supplying power to the controller; an input module electrically connected to the motor drive chip, the controller, and the power management module respectively to receive their control signals, and for generating an instruction signal according to the multiplexed control signals; a protection drive module for generating corresponding multiple protection drive signals according to the instruction signal; a protection switch module having a plurality of semiconductor switches respectively driven by the protection drive signals; wherein the protection drive module is electrically connected to the input module and the protection switch module respectively so that the semiconductor switches can be turned on and off according to the multiplexed control signals; the plurality of semiconductor switches of the protection switch module are electrically connected between the EPS motor and the motor drive circuit.

[0013] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the input module includes: a logic unit for generating the instruction signal according to the logical operation result of the received multiplexed control signals

[0014] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the logic unit is configured as an AND gate.

[0015] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the protection switch module includes 3 such semiconductor switches; each semiconductor switch is respectively connected between the three-phase windings of the EPS motor and the output end of the motor drive circuit through its switch terminal.

[0016] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the control terminal of the semiconductor switch is electrically connected to the protection drive module.

[0017] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the semiconductor switch is configured as a MOS transistor.

[0018] According to the third aspect of the present application, there is also provided a vehicle, including an EPS motor and the control circuit of the aforementioned EPS motor.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: a protection circuit, a control circuit of an EPS motor, and a vehicle that achieve multiple signal trigger protection through an additional protection circuit are provided.

[0020] More specifically, the following specific beneficial effects may be generated in some embodiments of the present application:

[0021] The use of a logic unit enables the motor drive chip, the controller, and the power management module to all achieve the triggering of protection.

[0022] Semiconductor switches are provided in all three-phase windings, which can effectively ensure that the EPS motor can reliably disconnect the power supply.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in detail in the subsequent specific implementation section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0025] In order to more fully understand the present application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be made in conjunction with the drawings, where the same reference numerals represent the same parts in the following description.

[0026] Figure 1 is a motor drive circuit diagram in the prior art;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the control circuit provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a part of the control circuit provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of the protection circuit provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the vehicle provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Description of reference numerals:

[0032] 100. Protection circuit;

[0033] 110. Input module; 111. Logic unit;

[0034] 120. protection drive module; 130. protection switch module; 131. semiconductor switch;

[0035] 10. Control circuit;

[0036] 210. Motor drive circuit; 211. Power switch;

[0037] 220, motor driver chip;

[0038] 230. Controller;

[0039] 240. Power management module;

[0040] 20. Motor;

[0041] 1. Vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 As shown, the output end of the conventional motor drive circuit 210 (generally a six-arm full-bridge circuit) is directly electrically connected to the three-phase winding of the motor. In this way, when the motor drive circuit 210 or the motor drive chip 220 fails, the motor has a greater operating risk. In this way, when the motor is used as an ESP motor, the risk cannot be effectively avoided.

[0044] Reference Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in a first aspect of the present application, a protection circuit 100 is provided for implementing isolation protection between a motor 20 and a motor driving circuit 210 according to multiple control signals.

[0045] The protection circuit 100 includes: an input module 110 , a protection driving module 120 , and a protection switch module 130 .

[0046] Among them, the input module 110 is used to generate an instruction signal according to the received multiple control signals; the protection driving module 120 is used to generate corresponding multiple protection driving signals according to the instruction signal; the protection switch module 130 has multiple semiconductor switches 131 respectively driven by the protection driving signals; among them, the protection driving module 120 is electrically connected to the input module 110 and the protection switch module 130 respectively so that the semiconductor switches 131 can be turned on and off according to the multiple control signals; the multiple semiconductor switches 131 of the protection switch module 130 are electrically connected between the motor 20 and the drive circuit.

[0047] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the input module 110 includes: a logic unit 111. The logic unit is used to generate an instruction signal according to the logical operation result of the received multiple control signals.

[0048] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the logic unit 111 is configured as an AND gate.

[0049] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the protection switch module 130 includes 3 semiconductor switches 131; each semiconductor switch 131 is respectively connected between the three-phase windings of the motor and the output end of the drive circuit through its switch terminal.

[0050] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the control terminal of the semiconductor switch 131 is electrically connected to the protection driving module 120.

[0051] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the semiconductor switch 131 is configured as a MOS transistor.

[0052] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, according to the second aspect of the present application, a control circuit 10 for an EPS motor is provided. The control circuit 10 includes: a motor drive circuit 210, a motor drive chip 220, a controller 230, a power management module 240, an input module 110, a protection driving module 120, and a protection switch module 130.

[0053] Among them, the motor drive circuit 210 is used to drive the EPS motor, and the motor drive circuit 210 includes a plurality of power switches 211; the motor drive chip 220 is used to generate drive signals for driving the power switches 211; the controller 230 is used to control the motor drive chip 220; the power management module 240 is used to supply power to the controller 230; the input module 110 is electrically connected to the motor drive chip 220, the controller 230, and the power management module 240 respectively to receive their control signals, and is used to generate an instruction signal according to the multiplexed control signals; the protection drive module 120 is used to generate corresponding multiple protection drive signals according to the instruction signal; the protection switch module 130 has a plurality of semiconductor switches 131 driven by the protection drive signals respectively; among them, the protection drive module 120 is electrically connected to the input module 110 and the protection switch module 130 respectively so that the semiconductor switches 131 can be turned on and off according to the multiplexed control signals; the plurality of semiconductor switches 131 of the protection switch module 130 are electrically connected between the EPS motor and the motor drive circuit 210.

[0054] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the input module 110 includes: a logic unit 111, which is used to generate an instruction signal according to the logical operation result of the received multiplexed control signals.

[0055] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the logic unit 111 is configured as an AND gate.

[0056] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the protection switch module 130 includes 3 semiconductor switches 131; each semiconductor switch 131 is respectively connected between the three-phase windings of the EPS motor and the output end of the motor drive circuit 210 through its switch terminal.

[0057] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the control terminal of the semiconductor switch 131 is electrically connected to the protection drive module 120.

[0058] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present application, the semiconductor switch 131 is configured as a MOS transistor.

[0059] According to the third aspect of the present application, referring to Figure 5 as shown, a vehicle 1 is further provided, which includes an EPS motor and the control circuit 10 of the aforementioned EPS motor.

[0060] After the EPS is powered on, it performs self-checks in the power-on sequence. After detecting that the motor drive circuit 210 is working properly, the controller 230 (MCU) controls the relevant switches to turn on and conduct, ensuring that a loop is formed between the motor drive circuit 210 and the motor. After normal operation, the system detects the phase current and phase voltage. If the voltage and current are abnormal, to protect the motor from damage or in case of operating conditions that do not match the current output and to ensure that the driver can operate the driving direction, the controller 230 (MCU) controls the relevant switches to cut off the loop between the motor and the motor drive circuit 210, thereby cutting off the assistance and enabling the motor to be in a free mode. The mechanical column is operated to control the running direction of the vehicle 1, thus ensuring driving safety.

[0061] Meanwhile, the relevant switches can be soft-switched off by the controller 230 (MCU), and hard-switched off by the power management module 240 and the motor drive module. Even if the controller 230 (MCU) malfunctions, such as the program running wild, when the power management module 240 (SBC) detects the abnormality of the controller 230 (MCU) through the watchdog and SPI communication, as well as SUM monitoring, the power management module 240 (SBC) will also output an enable signal through the error pin to turn off the relevant switches. If the motor drive is damaged and its enable pin outputs the default level, it will also turn off the relevant switches, thus achieving a triple protection effect.

[0062] Therefore, for the safety mechanism of motor protection in this application, whether it is a power error, a controller 230 (MCU) error, or a motor drive error, it can be controlled through other means, thereby achieving the purpose of protection and reducing driving risks.

[0063] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0064] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have their own focuses. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0065] In the embodiments, embodiments, and related technical features of this application, they can be combined and replaced with each other without conflict.

[0066] The above are only the preferred embodiments of this application and do not impose any form of limitation on this application. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of this application, any simple modification, equivalent change, and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A protection circuit for isolating and protecting a motor and a motor drive circuit according to a plurality of control signals; characterized in that, Comprising: An input module, configured to generate an instruction signal according to a plurality of received control signals. A protection driving module, configured to generate corresponding multiple protection driving signals according to the instruction signal. A protection switch module, having a plurality of semiconductor switches respectively driven by the protection driving signals. Wherein, the protection driving module is electrically connected to the input module and the protection switch module respectively, so that the semiconductor switches can be turned on and off according to the plurality of control signals; the plurality of semiconductor switches of the protection switch module are electrically connected between the motor and the driving circuit.

2. The protection circuit according to claim 1, wherein Among them, The input module includes: A logic unit, configured to generate the instruction signal according to the logical operation result of the plurality of received control signals.

3. The protection circuit according to claim 2, wherein The logic unit is configured as an AND gate.

4. The protection circuit according to claim 1, wherein The protection switch module includes 3 semiconductor switches; each semiconductor switch is respectively connected between the three-phase windings of the motor and the output end of the driving circuit through its switch terminal.

5. The protection circuit according to claim 4, wherein The control terminal of the semiconductor switch is electrically connected to the protection driving module.

6. The protection circuit according to claim 4, wherein The semiconductor switch is configured as a MOS transistor.

7. A control circuit for an EPS motor, characterized in that, Comprising: An electric motor driving circuit, configured to drive the EPS motor, the electric motor driving circuit includes several power switches; An electric motor driving chip, configured to generate driving signals for driving the power switches; A controller, configured to control the electric motor driving chip; A power management module, configured to supply power to the controller; An input module, electrically connected to the electric motor driving chip, the controller and the power management module respectively to receive their control signals, and configured to generate an instruction signal according to the plurality of control signals; A protection driving module, configured to generate corresponding multiple protection driving signals according to the instruction signal; A protection switch module, having a plurality of semiconductor switches respectively driven by the protection driving signals; Wherein, the protection driving module is electrically connected to the input module and the protection switch module respectively, so that the semiconductor switches can be turned on and off according to the plurality of control signals; the plurality of semiconductor switches of the protection switch module are electrically connected between the EPS motor and the electric motor driving circuit.

8. The control circuit of the EPS motor according to claim 7, wherein Among them, The input module includes: A logic unit, configured to generate the instruction signal according to the logical operation result of the plurality of received control signals.

9. The control circuit of the EPS motor according to claim 8, wherein The logic unit is configured as an AND gate.

10. The control circuit of the EPS motor according to claim 7, wherein The protection switch module includes 3 of the semiconductor switches; each semiconductor switch is respectively connected between the three-phase windings of the EPS motor and the output end of the motor drive circuit through its switch terminal.

11. The control circuit of the EPS motor according to claim 10, characterized in that the control terminal of the semiconductor switch is electrically connected to the protection drive module.

12. The control circuit of the EPS motor according to claim 11, characterized in that the semiconductor switch is configured as a MOS transistor.

13. A vehicle, characterized in that, An EPS motor and the control circuit of the EPS motor according to claims 7 to 12 are included.

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