Compressor Motor Current Correction for Load Torque Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air-conditioning apparatuses experience out-of-synchronization issues with the motor when the load torque changes rapidly, leading to abnormal stops.

Innovation Solution

A motor control device with a load-torque detecting unit and a current correcting unit that increases the motor current in response to increased load torque, preventing out-of-synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If position-sensorless control is used to avoid installing a magnetic-flux sensor in high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, then the motor can operate without a sensor, but the motor is likely to go out of synchronization when load torque changes rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidsynchronization stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device increases the current flowing through the motor in advance when an increase in load torque is detected, before the out-of-synchronization condition occurs. This preliminary action prevents the motor from going out of synchronization by proactively adjusting the current to match the increased load torque demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the load torque of the motor and uses this feedback information to adjust the current flowing through the motor. When an increase in load torque is detected, the control device increases the current accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains synchronization stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the motor operates without direct magnetic-pole position detection, then the system is simpler, but the motor cannot respond quickly to rapid load torque changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidresponse speed to load changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces direct magnetic-pole position detection with load torque detection to determine motor state. By monitoring load torque changes rather than directly detecting magnetic-pole position, the system achieves responsive control with simpler sensing requirements, substituting one measurement approach for another that is more suitable for the application.

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

3Reliability

If the motor current is increased to handle higher load torque, then the motor can maintain synchronization, but the current may exceed safe operating limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization maintenanceVSAvoidovercurrent damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the current flowing through the motor based on the detected load torque conditions. Rather than maintaining a fixed high current level, the system increases current only when and to the extent that load torque increases are detected, allowing the motor to handle variable load conditions while avoiding unnecessary overcurrent operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables continuous operation of the motor by adjusting the current flow in response to changing load torque, thereby preventing out-of-synchronization and abnormal stops.

Implementation Method 1

a load-torque detecting unit that detects load torque of the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a current correcting unit that controls a current flowing through the motor in accordance with information detected by the load-torque detecting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOhm's law: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3322087B1Motor control device, compressor, and air conditioner
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3322087B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3322087B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3322087B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A motor control device 200 controlling a motor 30 includes a load-torque detecting unit 26 configured to detect load torque of the motor 30 and a current correcting unit 27 configured to control a current flowing through the motor 30 in accordance with information detected by the load-torque detecting unit 26. The current correcting unit 27 increases the current flowing through the motor 30 in accordance with an increase in the load torque detected by the load-torque detecting unit 26.