Electric Power Converter Fallback Control During Communication Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power conversion systems fail to maintain network stability when communication breakdowns occur between electric power converters and external devices, leading to inability to exchange information and optimize output.
Innovation Solution
An electric power converter with a direct current (DC) conversion unit, measurement, communication, storage, and control units that allow for voltage or current control based on either a reference function from an external device or a standard reference function when communication is lost, ensuring continued operation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If communication with external device is required for optimized control, then control precision is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to communication failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores a standard reference function in advance that can be used when communication with the external device fails. This preliminary preparation ensures that the electric power converter can immediately switch to using the stored standard reference function without interruption, maintaining control precision while ensuring system reliability during communication failures.
2Productivity
If centralized control with master and slave determination is used, then productivity is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when communication network fails
Solution Approach 1:
Each electric power converter is equipped with the capability to independently use the stored standard reference function for control when communication with the external device fails. This self-service approach allows individual converters to maintain their output optimization without relying on centralized control, ensuring network stability and continuous operation during communication failures.
3Measurement precision
If information exchange between devices is required for coordinated control, then control precision is improved, but loss of information occurs when communication network fails
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores a copy of the standard reference function locally in the electric power converter. This local copy ensures that even when communication network fails and information exchange between devices is interrupted, each converter can continue to operate with the stored reference function, preventing loss of control information and maintaining coordinated control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power converter includes: a direct current electric power conversion unit connected to a direct current bus and configured to convert input electric power and output the converted electric power; a measurement unit configured to obtain a measured value of an electric characteristic value of the input electric power or the output electric power; a communication unit configured to perform communication with an external device and receive a reference function having a characteristic with a defined target value for an electric characteristic value according to an input value; a storage unit configured to store a standard reference function having a predetermined characteristic; and a control unit configured to control an electric power conversion characteristic of the electric power conversion unit based on a target value determined according to an input value, by voltage control corresponding to the characteristic, or by electric power control or electric current control.