Brushless DC Motor Drive Circuit Temperature-Adaptive Phase Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Brushless DC motors with rare earth magnets face permanent demagnetization due to high temperatures and phase advance, leading to reduced motor performance and increased costs from using higher amounts of rare earth metals to prevent damage.

Innovation Solution

A drive system that monitors the temperature of the rotor magnets and operates in a normal or abnormal mode, reducing the phase advance of the current relative to the rotor position, thereby limiting d-axis current to prevent demagnetization, allowing the motor to function safely at higher temperatures without compromising performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If phase advance is increased to increase torque and maximum rotational speed, then motor performance is improved, but the risk of permanent magnet demagnetization due to high temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetorqueVSAvoidmagnet stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the phase advance angle based on real-time temperature feedback from the rotor magnets. When temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control means reduces the phase advance angle compared to normal operation, thereby dynamically adapting the motor control strategy to prevent demagnetization while maintaining optimal performance under normal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates temperature sensing means that continuously monitors rotor magnet temperature and feeds this information back to the control means. This feedback mechanism enables the control system to detect temperature rise and automatically adjust the phase advance angle to prevent demagnetization, creating a closed-loop control system that balances performance and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If higher amounts of rare earth metals are used to prevent demagnetization, then magnet stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of changing the material composition of the magnets, the system changes the operational parameters (phase advance angle) based on temperature conditions. This parameter-based control approach prevents demagnetization through intelligent control rather than through material selection, avoiding the increased costs associated with using higher amounts of rare earth metals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual protection mechanism through control algorithms that replicate the protective function normally provided by expensive demagnetization-resistant materials. By using control means that adjust phase advance based on temperature feedback, the system achieves magnet protection without requiring costly material substitutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If phase advance is reduced to prevent demagnetization, then magnet stability is improved, but torque and maximum rotational speed decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet stabilityVSAvoidtorque
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the phase advance angle based on real-time temperature conditions rather than using a fixed reduced value. When temperature is below the threshold, full phase advance is applied for maximum torque. When temperature exceeds the threshold, phase advance is reduced only to the extent necessary to prevent demagnetization, thereby optimizing torque output for each operating condition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control strategy applies different phase advance angles to different operating conditions (temperature ranges). Normal operating conditions receive aggressive phase advance for maximum performance, while high-temperature conditions receive conservative phase advance for protection. This localized control approach ensures optimal torque in each regime without compromising overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 system extends the maximum operating temperature of the magnets, preventing permanent demagnetization and maintaining motor performance while reducing the risk of damage, thus avoiding the need for excessive rare earth metal usage and associated costs.

Implementation Method 1

Applying suitable voltages across each of the phase windings causes current to flow through the windings, generating a current flux vector in the air gap between the stator and the rotor. This flux interacts with the magnetic field of the rotor magnets to cause the rotor to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

as rotor speed increases the back emf that is produced in the coils also increases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2979356B1Motor drive circuit and method of driving a motor
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 ZF AUTOMOTIVE UK LTD
  • EP2979356B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)
  • EP2979356B1 patent drawingFigure 1(b)~11
  • EP2979356B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6

AI summary

A drive system for a brushless DC motor having a rotor including at least one permanent magnet and a stator including at least one phase winding, the system comprising a drive circuit including switch means associated with the winding for varying the current passing through the winding; rotor position sensing means arranged to sense the position of the rotor; and control means arranged to provide drive signals to control the switch means; the drive system further being arranged to receive a temperature signal that has a value dependent upon the temperature of the at least one magnet of the rotor,characterised in that the control means is arranged to vary the phase of the current passing through the winding relative to the rotor position dependent upon the temperature of the rotor magnet.