Three-Phase DC-DC Converter Frequency Control for Lower Thermal Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Three-phase DC-DC converters face inefficiencies due to thermal losses and varying load conditions, which are not effectively managed by conventional control methods, leading to suboptimal performance and increased thermal management challenges.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a three-phase direct-current-to-direct-current converter with a controller that adjusts modulation frequency and variable inductance based on load curves to minimize thermal energy dissipation and reduce DC current offsets, ensuring optimal operation across varying load percentages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional control methods are used, then the DC-DC converter operates with fixed modulation frequency, but thermal losses increase and performance becomes suboptimal under varying load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal lossesVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic modulation frequency adjustment based on real-time load conditions. The controller continuously monitors load percentage and adjusts the modulation frequency of the primary and secondary converters to match optimal operating points, transforming the fixed-frequency system into an adaptive dynamic system that minimizes thermal losses across varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters (modulation frequency) of the DC-DC converter based on load conditions. By adjusting the modulation frequency parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed, the system achieves optimal efficiency at different load levels, directly addressing the thermal loss reduction goal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If modulation frequency is adjusted to minimize thermal losses, then energy efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to load curve management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-characterizes the DC-DC converter by generating load curves that represent optimal modulation frequencies for different load percentages. These load curves are stored in the controller as lookup tables, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and apply optimal frequency settings without complex real-time calculations, thus balancing efficiency improvement with acceptable control complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the actual load percentage and compares it with stored load curve data to determine the optimal modulation frequency. This feedback mechanism ensures the system operates at peak efficiency by automatically adjusting parameters based on real-time conditions while using pre-computed curves to simplify the control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If fixed operation point is maintained, then control simplicity is preserved, but performance deteriorates under varying load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidpower losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The DC-DC converter system performs self-optimization by automatically adjusting its own modulation frequency based on monitored load conditions. The controller uses stored load curve data to determine optimal operating parameters without external intervention, enabling the system to maintain high efficiency across varying loads while preserving operational simplicity through automated self-adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4369581A1Reduced energy loss control methods for DC-DC converters
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 DEERE & CO
  • EP4369581A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4369581A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4369581A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

At least one example embodiment provides a system comprising a three-phase direct-current-to-direct-current converter (DC-DC converter) including a three-phase primary converter coupled to a three-phase secondary converter via at least one transformer; and a controller configured to cause the system to, obtain a load curve based on an operational load ratio or percentage of the three-phase DC-DC converter, the load curve associated with at least one phase of the primary converter and the secondary converter, and adjust or maintain a modulation frequency of the at least one phase of the primary converter and the secondary converter consistent with an operation point on the obtained load curve.