Drive Unit Feedback Control for Voltage-Driven Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing drive units for voltage-driven elements face issues in maintaining precise feedback control when a feedback connector opens, leading to an increase in driving voltage to the power-supply voltage, especially when current amplifiers or other circuits are introduced between the output connector and the gate resistor.

Innovation Solution

The drive unit is designed to ensure feedback control by switching between normal and abnormal status operations, where the feedback connector's voltage is controlled in normal conditions and the output connector's voltage is controlled in abnormal conditions, preventing the driving voltage from rising to the power-supply voltage level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a feedback connector is provided separately from the output connector to enable precise feedback control, then the driving voltage can be controlled with high precision, but the system complexity increases and the reliability decreases when the feedback connector opens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving voltage precisionVSAvoidfeedback control reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a detection circuit as an intermediary to monitor the electrical connection status of the feedback connector. This detection circuit detects whether the feedback connector is properly connected and provides this status information to the control unit, which then switches between feedback control modes accordingly, preventing system failure when the connector opens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between different control modes based on the real-time status of the feedback connector. When the connector is properly connected, the system operates in normal feedback control mode; when the connector opens, the system dynamically switches to an alternative control mode, ensuring continuous reliable operation under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If circuits such as current amplifiers are introduced between the output connector and the gate resistor to drive high-capacity voltage-driven elements, then the driving capability is improved, but the feedback control precision deteriorates when the feedback connector opens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving capabilityVSAvoidfeedback control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its control strategy based on the operational status. When circuits like current amplifiers are present and the feedback connector is connected, precise feedback control is maintained. When the feedback connector opens, the system dynamically switches to an alternative control approach that maintains sufficient control precision despite the absence of direct feedback from the gate resistor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dual-mode feedback control system. In normal operation, direct feedback from the feedback connector provides high-precision control. When the feedback connector opens, the system switches to an alternative feedback path or control method that maintains adequate control precision, ensuring that the presence of intermediate circuits like current amplifiers does not compromise overall control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the output connector and feedback connector are provided respectively, then the feedback control can be maintained under normal conditions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving voltage control precisionVSAvoidconnector and circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection circuit serves multiple functions: it monitors the feedback connector status, provides status information to the control unit, and enables the switching between control modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining precise control capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the detection function, control status monitoring, and mode switching logic into an integrated control system. By merging these functions rather than implementing them as separate independent systems, the overall device complexity is managed while still achieving the goal of maintaining precise driving voltage control through the separate feedback connector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2712086B1Drive device for driving voltage-driven element
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2712086B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2712086B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2712086B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller of a drive unit is configured so as to control a voltage supplied to a gate resistor of a voltage-driven element by using of a voltage of a feedback connector when an electrical connection between the feedback connector and the gate resistor of the voltage-driven element is ensured. Further, the controller of the drive unit is configured so as to control the voltage supplied to the gate resistor of the voltage-driven element by using of a voltage of an output connector when the electrical connection between the feedback connector and the gate resistor of the voltage-driven element is not ensured.