Apparatus and method for controlling permanent magnet synchronous motor, and program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Permanent-magnet type synchronous motors used in vehicle air conditioners face challenges in smooth start-up due to unknown rotor position at startup, leading to increased start-up failures and power consumption, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles where power source efficiency is critical.

Innovation Solution

A control device for permanent-magnet type synchronous motors that sets a synchronous operation current based on the inverter's temperature, monitors and updates the current during rotation stabilization, and determines liquefaction of refrigerant using output voltage or current, allowing for efficient and reliable motor operation without the need for position sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If constant current is applied without knowing compressor condition, then motor can be started, but start-up failure rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor start-upVSAvoidstart-up success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary actions by detecting rotor position before start-up, determining compressor operating state, and setting appropriate starting current and frequency based on these preliminary detections, thereby improving start-up reliability without causing failures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses feedback by continuously monitoring output voltage and current during rotation stabilizing period, detecting rotor position, and adjusting starting parameters based on feedback about compressor state and motor performance, which reduces start-up failure rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If high current is applied to ensure motor starts, then start-up success rate improves, but inverter damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestart-up success rateVSAvoidinverter damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device applies dynamic current limiting that adjusts the current limiting value based on inverter temperature conditions. When inverter temperature is high, the current limiting value is reduced to prevent damage; when temperature is low, higher current can be applied to ensure reliable start-up, thus dynamically balancing reliability and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes operating parameters by setting different current and frequency combinations based on detected rotor position and compressor state. This parameter optimization ensures motor starts reliably while keeping current within safe limits for the inverter, preventing damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If position sensor is installed to improve control accuracy, then rotor position can be detected, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve rotor position detectionVSAvoidsensor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs self-service by using the motor's own back-EMF and current characteristics to detect rotor position without external sensors. The system serves itself by extracting position information from operational parameters, eliminating the need for additional position sensors and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control device replaces mechanical sensor systems with electrical measurement methods. Instead of using physical position sensors that require lubricant-proof sealing, the system uses electrical signals (back-EMF, current) to detect rotor position, substituting a mechanical sensing system with an electrical field-based detection method

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple monitoring functions are added to prevent start-up failure, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestart-up reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device achieves multi-functionality by using a single control system that performs multiple functions: rotor position detection, compressor state determination, current limiting value setting, and starting parameter optimization. This universal approach improves reliability without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby limiting complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances the start-up success rate of the motor, reduces power consumption, and prevents inverter damage by setting currents close to the current limiting value, while simplifying the device configuration by eliminating the need for sensor information.

Implementation Method 1

an inverter that supplies three-phase power to the permanent-magnet type synchronous motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInversion (power conversion):

Implementation Method 2

permanent-magnet type synchronous motor used as a driving source of a compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2149981B1Apparatus and method for controlling permanent magnet synchronous motor, and program
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2149981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2149981B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2149981B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

There is provided a control device of a permanent-magnet type synchronous motor that sets a synchronous operation current at start-up in response to a current limiting value determined from the temperature of an inverter that supplies three-phase power to the permanent-magnet type synchronous motor, that monitors an output voltage or an output current of the inverter during a rotation stabilizing period after start-up, and that updates the synchronous operation current using this output voltage or output current.