Backup Conversion Unit for Rapid Power Apparatus Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric power conversion apparatuses configured with directly attached conversion units face challenges in rapid failure recovery due to complex and costly wiring, necessitating a solution for quick restoration.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a backup conversion unit and a backup terminal conductor unit that allows for easy replacement of failed units by detaching and reconnecting cables and control signals, eliminating the need for extensive rewiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conversion units are directly attached to a substrate, then device compactness is improved, but replacement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidreplacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion unit is divided into a substrate and a leading part that can be separated. The leading part includes connection terminals and can be detached from the substrate, allowing the leading part to be replaced without replacing the entire conversion unit. This segmentation enables faster replacement while maintaining compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The leading part is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the conversion unit. When a conversion unit fails, only the leading part needs to be removed and replaced, rather than replacing the entire conversion unit. This extraction principle significantly reduces replacement time while keeping the device compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If leading parts are added for easy replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but wiring complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The leading part is designed as a universal component that can be used across different conversion units. The connection terminals and structure are standardized, allowing a single leading part design to serve multiple phases (U, V, W) and different conversion units. This universality simplifies wiring and reduces complexity while maintaining ease of repair.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The leading part is designed as a standardized copyable component with identical connection interfaces and structure for different phases. This copying approach allows interchangeable use of leading parts across U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase conversion units, simplifying wiring arrangements and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If conversion units are directly attached to substrate, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but replacement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidreplacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion unit is segmented into substrate and leading part, where the leading part is manufactured as a separate standardized component. This segmentation allows the leading part to be mass-produced at low cost while enabling fast replacement, thus reducing both manufacturing complexity and replacement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The leading part is pre-assembled with connection terminals and other critical components before being attached to the substrate. This preliminary assembly creates a ready-to-install module that can be quickly replaced without requiring complex on-site assembly operations, reducing replacement time while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2479881B1Electric power conversion apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC IND SYST CORP
  • EP2479881B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2479881B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electric power conversion apparatus comprises: three conversion units (21, 22, 23); a backup conversion unit (25) that can be substituted for any one of the conversion units (21, 22, 23); and an auxiliary terminal conductor unit (50). The conversion units (21, 22, 23), which are mounted on a converter board (12) disposed in a case (10), can convert a DC current to a three-phase AC current having U-, V- and W-phases. If any one of the conversion units (21, 22, 23) goes out of order, the backup terminal conductor unit (50) can then electrically connect the auxiliary conversion unit, in substitution for the conversion unit having gone out of order, to a three-phase AC input/output unit (60).