Discharge Resistor for Electric Motor Stray Capacitance Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric motor car control systems without main motor cut-off switches pose a risk of electrical shocks to maintenance personnel due to electric charges accumulated in stray capacitances, as the existing systems fail to effectively discharge these charges when the cut-off switches are open.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a set of cut-off switches and a discharge resistor connected in parallel to the filter capacitor, which ensures that electric charges in stray capacitances are discharged through a discharge resistor when the main switch is opened, thereby preventing electrical shocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If main motor cut-off switches are installed to disconnect the motor from the inverter, then maintenance safety is improved by isolating the motor, but electrical shocks may occur to maintenance personnel due to accumulated electric charges in stray capacitances when the cut-off switches are open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance safetyVSAvoidelectrical shock risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A discharge resistor is introduced as an intermediary component connected in parallel with the filter capacitor. This discharge resistor provides a safe discharge path for electric charges accumulated in the stray capacitances of the main motor when the cut-off switches are open, eliminating the electrical shock hazard while maintaining the isolation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful electric charges accumulated in the stray capacitances are converted into a beneficial discharge current through the discharge resistor. By providing a controlled discharge path, the potentially dangerous stored energy is safely dissipated, transforming the hazard into a safety mechanism.

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

2Reliability

If discharge switch is closed to discharge electric charges in filter capacitor, then filter capacitor voltage is lowered to secure level, but electric charges in stray capacitances cannot be discharged when cut-off switches are open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge functionVSAvoidresidual voltage in stray capacitances
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge resistor serves multiple functions: it discharges the filter capacitor when the discharge switch is closed, and it continuously discharges the stray capacitances of the main motor even when the cut-off switches are open. This multi-functionality ensures comprehensive voltage reduction across all capacitive elements in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge resistor provides continuous discharge capability for the stray capacitances, ensuring that the voltage across these capacitances is continuously reduced to a secure level regardless of the state of the cut-off switches or discharge switch, maintaining safety at all times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 effectively discharges electric charges in stray capacitances, ensuring safety by reducing the voltage to a secure level, even when the main motor cut-off switches are in an open state, thus preventing electrical shocks during maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

closing the discharge switch 11 permits electric charges accumulated in the filter capacitor 7 and the stray capacitances 16a, 16b, and 16c to be consumed at the discharge resistor 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2423025B1Electric vehicle control device
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2423025B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2423025B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2423025B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

An electric motor car control system includes a resistor 17a connected parallel to a cut-off switch 15, or a switch 18 for grounding terminals of an alternating-current motor, to discharge electric charges accumulated in stray capacitors 16 of the motor, whereby the electric motor car control system can prevent electrical shocks due to electric charges accumulated in themotor stray capacitors.