Diode Rectifier Harmonic Reduction via Control Device Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diode rectification methods generate high levels of undesired harmonics in the input current, leading to inefficiencies and compliance issues with harmonic standards, particularly in AC/DC conversion for motor applications.

Innovation Solution

A circuit arrangement with a DC voltage controller and control device that impresses specific harmonic current signals onto the DC current, using a storage capacitor to reduce harmonic content in the input current, including the use of 5th, 11th, and 17th harmonics to absorb energy from the grid while minimizing other harmonics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If diode rectification method is used, then device complexity is reduced and temperature rise of power switching elements is lower, but harmonic content in input current increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverectifier structureVSAvoidharmonic content
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A control device is introduced as an intermediary between the AC power supply and the diode rectifier. This control device generates harmonic current signals (5th, 11th, 17th harmonics) that are superimposed on the rectifier input, causing the diode rectifier to absorb these harmonics and reduce the overall harmonic content in the input current while maintaining the simple diode rectifier structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful harmonic currents into a beneficial feature by deliberately injecting specific harmonic signals (5th, 11th, 17th) that the diode rectifier absorbs. This transforms the rectifier's natural tendency to generate harmonics into a mechanism for harmonic absorption and cancellation, reducing total harmonic distortion while maintaining rectification efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If PWM rectification method is used, then harmonic content in input current is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional switching elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonic contentVSAvoidrectifier structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the expensive and complex PWM switching elements with inexpensive diode rectifier components. By using a control device to generate harmonic signals that the simple diode rectifier absorbs, the system achieves PWM-like harmonic performance using much simpler, cheaper, and more reliable diode-based components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes the active PWM switching mechanism with a passive diode rectifier system controlled by harmonic signal injection. Instead of using complex electronic switching to achieve harmonic reduction, the system uses signal processing and harmonic resonance principles to achieve the same effect with simpler components

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

3Object-generated harmful factors

If traditional EMC filters are used to reduce harmonics, then harmonic content is reduced, but filter volume and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonic contentVSAvoidfilter volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmonic reduction function from the traditional EMC filter and relocates it to the rectifier input stage through control device signal injection. This allows harmonic cancellation to occur before the rectifier, eliminating or reducing the need for large downstream filter components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device performs preliminary harmonic cancellation by injecting compensating harmonic signals before they enter the rectifier. This preliminary action prevents harmonics from being generated in the first place, eliminating the need for large filter volumes that would be required if harmonics were addressed after rectification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3772165A1Circuit and method for reducing network side harmonics in the input flow of a diode rectifier
Publication Date: 2021.02.03 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3772165A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3772165A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3772165A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a circuit arrangement (1) for reducing the harmonics of the input current of a rectifier (10) connected to an AC power supply (N) for providing a DC voltage for a DC load (40) having a storage capacitor (CZK), comprising a DC voltage controller (20) connected downstream of the rectifier (10) and a control device (30) configured to impose a specific current on the DC voltage controller (20), in particular to impose a harmonic current signal in the form of an approximate DC current, so that the harmonic content in the input current is reduced.