Control Unit for Electrical Machine Computing Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control units for electrical machines require significant computing power to determine control signals, which can lead to inefficiencies and limitations in processing capabilities, particularly in determining setpoint voltage vectors and actual rotational speeds.
Innovation Solution
A control unit configuration with a first processing unit determining the magnitude of a setpoint voltage vector and a second processing unit, connected to the first, determining control signals based on this magnitude and actual rotational speed, reduces computing power requirements by distributing tasks between a main and secondary processing unit, such as a microcontroller with distinct cycle times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single processing unit determines all control signals in conventional control units, then control signal determination is achieved, but computing power requirements become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is divided into a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The first processing unit determines the magnitude of the setpoint voltage vector, while the second processing unit determines the control signals based on this magnitude and actual rotational speed. This segmentation distributes the computational workload, reducing the computing power burden on any single unit while maintaining full control signal determination capability.
2Device complexity
If computing power is reduced in the first processing unit, then energy consumption and complexity are lowered, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The magnitude of the setpoint voltage vector acts as an intermediary parameter between the first and second processing units. The first processing unit computes this magnitude with reduced complexity, then passes it to the second processing unit which uses it alongside actual rotational speed to determine precise control signals. This intermediary approach maintains control precision while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit for operating an electrical machine which includes a rotor, a stator, and power electronics. The power electronics have a plurality of switching elements, by which the phases of the stator winding are connected/connectible electrically to an electrical energy store. The control unit includes first and second processing units and is configured to determine control signals for controlling the switching elements, using the processing units. The first processing unit is configured to determine a magnitude of a setpoint voltage vector for the phases based on a setpoint rotational speed of the rotor and an actual rotational speed of the rotor. The second processing unit is connected to the first processing unit so as to be able to communicate with it, and being configured to determine the control signals as a function of the magnitude of the setpoint voltage vector and an actual angle of rotation of the rotor.