Electric vehicle control system

Abstract

The objective is to provide an electric train control device that can smooth the competition for regenerative power across the entire train set by exchanging information from multiple power converters during light-load regeneration, without being affected by the control state of the main motor. [Solution] The electric vehicle control device includes a power converter mounted on a vehicle in the train set, with a filter capacitor connected to the DC side and an electric motor connected to the AC side; a voltage detector that detects the voltage of the filter capacitor; and a control unit that performs light load regenerative control within the train set based on the regenerative power calculated using the average value of the voltage of the filter capacitors of the power converters mounted on each vehicle in the train set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electric vehicle control device for driving a railway vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In an electric vehicle control device having a power regeneration control function, power is regenerated to loads connected to the same electric train line. However, if the regenerated power to the load is too large, the electric train line voltage may be raised and the electric train line voltage may enter an abnormal state. Therefore, light load regeneration control is performed to reduce the regenerated power output to the electric train line during light load conditions. On the other hand, when a power conversion device that constitutes a plurality of electric vehicle control devices is mounted within the same formation, if there is an error in the filter capacitor voltage recognized by the control unit of each device, the balance of the regenerated current may be biased during light load regeneration, or vibration of the regenerated current may occur between the plurality of electric vehicle control devices, which may lead to a deterioration in riding comfort and a decrease in energy saving performance.

[0003] In order to eliminate this imbalance in the regenerated current during light load regeneration, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of correcting the filter capacitor voltage target value of the light load regeneration control of each device using a central device that averages the main motor currents in a plurality of electric vehicle control devices within the same formation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in conventional technology, each electric vehicle control device corrects the filter capacitor voltage target value so that the main motor current converges to the average value transmitted from the central unit, which has problems such as being affected by the control state of the main motor when skidding occurs.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide an electric train control device that can smooth the competition for regenerative power throughout the entire train by exchanging information from multiple power converters during light-load regeneration, without being affected by the control state of the main motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electric vehicle control device of this embodiment includes a power converter mounted on a vehicle in the train set, with a filter capacitor connected to the DC side and an electric motor connected to the AC side; a voltage detector that detects the voltage of the filter capacitor; and a control unit that performs light load regenerative control within the train set based on the regenerative power calculated using the average value of the voltage of the filter capacitors of the power converters mounted on each vehicle in the train set. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit of the electric vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the sixth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the power converter 1 of the first embodiment. The electric vehicle control device comprises a power converter 1 that drives an electric motor mounted on the vehicle, a voltage detector 2 that detects the voltage of a filter capacitor provided on the DC side of the power converter 1, and a control unit 3 that has a transmission function with the central unit 4 and a light load regenerative control function.

[0010] The power converter 1 converts the DC power supplied from the overhead line into AC power to drive the motor. When the vehicle decelerates, the motor acts as a generator, and the AC power is converted back into DC power and regenerated back into the overhead line. A filter capacitor is provided on the DC side of the power converter 1, and the power converter 1 is controlled using the voltage of the filter capacitor.

[0011] The voltage detector 2 detects the voltage of the filter capacitor located on the DC side of the power converter 1. The control unit 3 acquires the voltage of the filter capacitor detected by the voltage detector 2. The acquired filter capacitor voltage is transmitted to the central device 4 (for example, the monitoring device). The filter capacitor voltage transmitted to the central device 4 is then transmitted by the central device 4 to the control unit 3 of other vehicles. The control unit 3 also receives the filter capacitor voltage of other vehicles via the central device 4. Furthermore, the control unit 3 calculates the average value of the voltage of its own vehicle's filter capacitor and the voltage of the filter capacitors of other vehicles to determine the regenerative power available, and then performs light-load regenerative control.

[0012] Next, the operation of the electric vehicle control device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 3 of the electric vehicle control device of the first embodiment. The control unit 3 transmits the voltage of the vehicle's filter capacitor detected by the voltage detector 2 to the central unit 4 (S101). Furthermore, the control unit 3 receives the voltage of the filter capacitors of each power converter 1 installed in other cars in the train set from the central unit 4 (S102).

[0013] When power is being regenerated into the overhead line, if there are no load vehicles on the overhead line absorbing the regenerated power, or if the load is small, the voltage of the filter capacitor rises. Based on the rise in the filter capacitor voltage, the control device determines that it is in a light-load regenerative state (S103). If it determines that it is not in a light-load state, it returns to S101. When the control unit 3 determines that there is a light load, it determines whether the voltage of the filter capacitor of each power converter 1 in the train set, received from the central unit 4, is valid or not (S104).

[0014] If the control unit 3 determines that the voltage of the filter capacitor of each power converter 1 in the train set is effective, it calculates the regenerative power using the average value of the filter capacitor voltages in the train set (S105), and performs light-load regenerative control based on this regenerative power (S106). On the other hand, if it determines that the voltage of the filter capacitor of each power converter 1 in the train set is not effective, it calculates the regenerative power using the voltage of the filter capacitor of its own vehicle (S107), and performs light-load regenerative control based on this regenerative power (S106).

[0015] As described above, according to the first embodiment, by performing light-load regenerative control using the filter capacitor voltage detected by each power converter 1 in the train set, it is possible to compensate for recognition errors of the filter capacitor voltage and balance the light-load regenerative power within the train set.

[0016] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Figure 3 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the second embodiment. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the central device 4 calculates the average value of the filter capacitor voltages of each power conversion device 1 in the formation.

[0017] That is, the central device 4 receives the voltages of the filter capacitors of the respective power conversion devices 1 from each control unit 3, calculates the average value, and transmits it to each control unit 3. The control unit 3 calculates the regenerative power using the average value of the filter capacitor voltages in the formation received from the central device 4, and performs light-load regeneration control based on the regenerative power.

[0018] As described above, according to the second embodiment, by performing light-load regeneration control using the filter capacitor voltages detected by each power conversion device 1 in the formation, it is possible to compensate for the recognition error of the filter capacitor voltages, and it is possible to balance the light-load regenerative power in the formation. Further, by calculating the average value of the filter capacitor voltages in the central device 4 and transmitting it to each control unit 3, the transmission content between the central device 4 and the control unit 3 can be simplified.

[0019] Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the third embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that a plurality of formations are combined and information transmission is performed between the formations using an information transmission path. Note that the information transmission between the formations may be either wired transmission, wireless transmission, or a hybrid of wired transmission and wireless transmission.

[0020] In the third embodiment, the control unit 3 acquires the voltage of the filter capacitor detected by the voltage detector 2. The acquired voltage of the filter capacitor is transmitted to the central device 4. The voltage of the filter capacitor transmitted to the central device 4 is transmitted by the central device 4 to the control units 3 of other vehicles within its own formation and to the control units 3 of each vehicle within other formations.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit 3 receives the voltage of the filter capacitors of other cars in its own train set and the voltage of the filter capacitors of each car in other train sets via the central device 4. Furthermore, the control unit 3 calculates the average value of the voltage of its own vehicle's filter capacitor and the voltage of the filter capacitors of other vehicles to determine the regenerative power available, and then performs light-load regenerative control.

[0022] As described above, according to the third embodiment, by performing light-load regenerative control using the filter capacitor voltage detected by each power converter 1 in the coupled train set, it is possible to compensate for recognition errors of the filter capacitor voltage, and it is possible to balance the light-load regenerative power even when multiple train sets are coupled together.

[0023] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 4 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the third embodiment. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that, instead of the transmission function of the central device 4, an information transmission path 5 is provided between each control unit 3 to transmit information between each control unit 3. The information transmission path 5 provided between each control unit 3 can be any transmission path capable of transmitting the filter capacitor voltage, such as serial transmission, parallel transmission, or analog transmission.

[0024] In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 3 acquires the voltage of the filter capacitor detected by the voltage detector 2. The acquired filter capacitor voltage is transmitted to other control units 3 via an information transmission line 5 provided between each control unit 3. The control unit 3 also receives the voltage of the filter capacitor of other vehicles via the information transmission line 5. Furthermore, the control unit 3 calculates the average value of the voltage of its own vehicle's filter capacitor and the voltage of the filter capacitors of other vehicles to determine the regenerative power available, and then performs light-load regenerative control.

[0025] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, even in vehicles that do not have a central device 4, by providing a transmission line between each control device, light load regenerative control can be performed using the filter capacitor voltage detected by each power converter 1 in the train set, thereby compensating for recognition errors of the filter capacitor voltage and making it possible to balance the light load regenerative power within the train set.

[0026] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. Figure 6 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the fifth embodiment. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The differences from the first embodiment are that a current detector 6 is provided to detect the input current of the power converter 1, the control unit 3 transmits the input current along with the voltage of the filter capacitor to the central unit 4, and the central unit 4 calculates the regenerative power and transmits it to each control unit 3.

[0027] In the fifth embodiment, the current detector 6 detects the input current of the power converter 1. The control unit 3 acquires the voltage of the filter capacitor detected by the voltage detector 2 and the input current detected by the current detector 6. The acquired voltage of the filter capacitor and input current are transmitted to the central unit 4.

[0028] The central unit 4 calculates the regenerative power based on the voltage of the filter capacitor and the input current transmitted from each control unit 3, and transmits the regenerative power to each control unit 3. The control unit 3 receives the regenerative power calculated by the central unit 4 and performs light load regeneration control based on the regenerative power.

[0029] As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, by performing light-load regenerative control using the regenerative power calculated by the central device 4, it is possible to compensate for the recognition error of the filter capacitor voltage and balance the light-load regenerative power within the train set. In addition, by calculating the regenerative power in the central device 4, the calculation processing of each control unit 3 can be simplified.

[0030] Next, a modified example of the fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the central device 4 performs the calculation of regenerative power. Therefore, the central device 4 may perform the calculation of regenerative power by adding information that it can acquire. For example, considering that regenerative power tends to increase as vehicle weight increases, different regenerative power may be calculated for each vehicle's power converter 1 according to the occupancy rate of each vehicle in the train set.

[0031] Furthermore, when the central unit 4 is performing train braking control, it becomes possible to individually calculate the regenerative power available for each power converter 1 of the vehicles, enabling more precise balance control of light-load regenerative power.

[0032] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. Figure 7 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle control device according to the sixth embodiment. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that instead of the voltage detector 2 that detects the voltage of the filter capacitor, an overhead line voltage detector 7 that detects the overhead line voltage is provided, and light load regenerative control is performed based on the overhead line voltage.

[0033] In the sixth embodiment, the overhead line voltage detector 7 detects the overhead line voltage. The control unit 3 acquires the overhead line voltage detected by the overhead line voltage detector 2. The acquired overhead line voltage is transmitted to the central unit 4. The overhead line voltage transmitted to the central unit 4 is then transmitted by the central unit 4 to the control unit 3 of other vehicles. The control unit 3 also receives the overhead line voltage of other vehicles via the central unit 4. Furthermore, the control unit 3 calculates the average value of the overhead line voltage of its own vehicle and the overhead line voltage of other vehicles to determine the regenerative power available, and then performs light-load regenerative control.

[0034] As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, by performing light-load regenerative control using the overhead line voltage detected by each power converter 1 in the train set, it is possible to compensate for the recognition error of the overhead line voltage and balance the light-load regenerative power within the train set.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Power converter 2. Voltage detector 3. Control Unit 4...Central device 5. Information transmission line 6. Current detector 7. Overhead line voltage detector

Claims

1. A power converter installed in a vehicle within the train set, with a filter capacitor connected to the DC side and an electric motor connected to the AC side, A voltage detector for detecting the voltage of the filter capacitor, A control unit performs light-load regenerative control within the train set based on the regenerative power calculated using the average voltage of the filter capacitors of the power converters installed in each car of the train set. An electric vehicle control device having

2. The electric vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a transmission unit that transmits the detected voltage of the filter capacitor to a central unit, and a receiving unit that receives the voltage of each filter capacitor from a central unit that aggregates the voltages of each filter capacitor transmitted from each power converter in the train set.

3. The electric vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a transmission unit that transmits the detected voltage of the filter capacitor to a central unit, and a receiving unit that receives the average value of the voltage of each filter capacitor from the central unit which calculates the average value of the voltage of each filter capacitor transmitted from each power converter in the train set.

4. The electric train control device according to claim 1, which has an inter-train information transmission path for exchanging the voltage between the fill and capacitor of each power converter between train sets when multiple train sets are coupled together.

5. It is equipped with an information transmission path for transmitting information between each power converter, The electric vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a transmission unit that transmits the voltage of a filter capacitor detected via the information transmission line to other power converters in the train set, and a receiving unit that receives the voltage of each filter capacitor transmitted from each power converter in the train set via the information transmission line.

6. It is equipped with a voltage detector that detects the input current of the power converter, The electric vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a transmission unit that transmits the detected voltage and input current of the filter capacitor to a central unit, and a receiving unit that receives the regenerative power from a central unit that calculates the regenerative power based on the voltage and input current of each filter capacitor transmitted from each power converter in the train set.

7. The electric vehicle control device according to claim 6, wherein the central device calculates the regenerative power available for each power converter of each vehicle according to the occupancy rate of the vehicles in the train set.

8. The electric vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit is equipped with an overhead line voltage detector for detecting the overhead line voltage instead of a voltage detector for detecting the voltage of the filter capacitor, and the control unit performs light load regenerative control based on the overhead line voltage.

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