Electric Vehicle Control Device Converter Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicles, when the DC/DC converter shuts down, the driver may not realize the shutdown, leading to over-discharge of the power storage element and potential inability to run in non-electrified sections due to insufficient charged power.
Innovation Solution
A control device with abnormality detection units for the DC/DC converter and inverter, generating protection status signals to execute emergency controls, prompting the driver to restart the converter and ensuring power allocation from both overhead wire and power storage element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the DC/DC converter shuts down due to abnormality, then the inverter can continue operating with power from the overhead wire, but the power storage element may become over-discharged when transitioning to non-electrified sections
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by detecting converter abnormalities and issuing driver notifications before the power storage element becomes over-discharged. This allows the driver to take preventive actions (such as avoiding non-electrified sections or preparing alternative power sources) before the charged power becomes insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the operational state of the DC/DC converter and providing real-time status information to the driver through notifications. This feedback loop enables the driver to understand the converter's shutdown state and adjust operations accordingly to prevent power storage element over-discharge.
2Device complexity
If the driver is not notified of converter shutdown, then the system operates without additional notification components, but the driver may not realize the shutdown and continue normal operation leading to power storage element over-discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the converter abnormality detection and the driver. It receives abnormality detection signals from the converter control device and translates them into driver-notifiable information, bridging the gap between system-level abnormalities and driver awareness without requiring complex additional notification hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inverter continues operation after converter shutdown without coordination, then the inverter maintains operational independence, but power allocation becomes unbalanced causing power storage element over-discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The control device merges the abnormality detection functionality with the existing power allocation control of the inverter. By integrating these functions, the system can coordinate converter abnormality responses with power distribution decisions, ensuring that power allocation efficiency is maintained even when the converter shuts down, preventing power storage element over-discharge while preserving operational flexibility.
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
Prevents over-discharge of the power storage element and ensures continued operation by notifying the driver of converter shutdowns, maintaining sufficient charge for transitioning to non-electrified sections.
Implementation Method 1
a first power conversion unit (converter unit 10) that converts a voltage input from an external power supply to a direct current having a predetermined value and outputs the direct current to a power storage element (battery 50)
Implementation Method 2
a second power conversion unit (inverter unit 60) that receives an arbitrary power supply from the external power supply or the power storage element and converts power to an alternating current having a predetermined value
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device for an electric vehicle includes a converter circuit 20 that converts a voltage input from an external power supply to a direct current having a predetermined value and outputs the direct current to a power storage unit 50, an inverter circuit 70 that receives an arbitrary power supply from the external power supply or the power storage unit 50 and converts power to an alternating current having a predetermined value, a converter control unit 30 that controls the converter circuit 20 based on a detection result of an abnormal state of the converter circuit 20 and generates a protection status signal based on the detection result, and a inverter control unit 80 that executes emergency control with respect to the inverter circuit 60, when the protection status signal is input, which indicates that the converter circuit 20 is in an abnormal state.