Electric Power Steering Control Device Voltage Boosting Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric power steering devices, low voltage driving can cause switching elements to enter a half-on state, leading to increased on-state resistance and power loss, potentially resulting in damage such as burnout due to heat generation.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an inverter, first and second drive units, and corresponding boosters that boost the power supply voltage, ensuring the low potential switching elements are never in a half-on state, thereby reducing on-state resistance and power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply voltage is lowered, then energy consumption is reduced, but the switching elements may enter a half-on state causing increased on-state resistance and power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by introducing a booster circuit that generates a boosted voltage from the power supply voltage. This allows the system to maintain high voltage for switching element operation (reducing on-state resistance and power loss) while operating from a lower power supply voltage (reducing energy consumption). The booster circuit transforms the voltage parameter to resolve the contradiction between low voltage operation and low power loss.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply voltage is lowered, then energy consumption is reduced, but the switching elements may enter a half-on state leading to potential damage such as burnout
Solution Approach 1:
The booster circuit transforms the power supply voltage into a boosted voltage with higher amplitude, ensuring that the switching elements receive sufficient voltage to operate in a fully on state rather than a half-on state. This parameter transformation maintains switching element reliability while allowing the system to operate from a lower power supply voltage, thus reducing energy consumption without compromising safety.
3Device complexity
If a single booster is used, then device complexity is reduced, but voltage boosting for both high potential and low potential switching elements cannot be achieved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage boosting function into two separate booster circuits: a first booster dedicated to boosting voltage for high potential switching elements, and a second booster dedicated to boosting voltage for low potential switching elements. This segmentation allows each booster to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring reliable operation of all switching elements while maintaining a clear and manageable system architecture.
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 prevents switching element failure by maintaining optimal voltage levels, reducing power loss, and minimizing the risk of burnout, even when the power supply voltage is lowered.
Implementation Method 1
a first booster connected to the first drive unit, boosts the voltage of the power supply, and outputs the boosted voltage to the first drive unit; a second booster connected to the second drive unit, boosts the voltage of the power supply, and outputs the other boosted voltage to the second drive unit
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes an inverter, a first drive unit, a first booster, a second drive unit, and a second booster. The inverter has a plurality of high potential switching elements and a plurality of low potential switching elements, and supplies electric power from a power supply to the motor. The first drive unit controls an operation of the high potential switching elements. The first booster is connected to the first drive unit, boosts the voltage of the power supply, and outputs the boosted voltage to the first drive unit. The second drive unit controls an operation of the low potential switching elements. The second booster is connected to the second drive unit, boosts the voltage of the power supply, and outputs the other boosted voltage to the second drive unit.