Sensorless Rotor Flux Vector Positioning via Frequency Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensorless control methods for electric motors, particularly at low speeds, face inaccuracies in estimating the position of the rotor flux vector due to errors in motor model parameters, leading to poor motor control performance and the need for precise detection methods without relying on position sensors.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the injection of current vectors at specific frequencies into a rotating reference frame to determine the induced stator flux voltages, allowing for precise estimation of the rotor flux vector position by minimizing the error between actual and estimated positions, applicable to both synchronous and asynchronous motors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sensorless control based on main frequency voltage is used, then control simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates at low speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidflux position estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by injecting an auxiliary current at a specific frequency (different from the main frequency) into the stator windings. This periodic injection creates detectable voltage oscillations that allow the determination of rotor flux position even at low speeds, resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If low frequency current injection is used, then measurement precision improves at low speed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflux position detection accuracyVSAvoidcontrol algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter by injecting current at a specific frequency different from the main frequency. This parameter change enables the generation of detectable voltage oscillations that reveal rotor flux position information, improving measurement precision while maintaining a relatively simple control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using voltage oscillations as a mediator to indirectly determine the rotor flux position. Instead of directly measuring position, the method uses the intermediary voltage oscillations generated by frequency-specific current injection to infer position information, balancing precision and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If position sensor is used, then measurement precision is ensured, but cost and reliability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical position sensor system with an electrical field-based method. By injecting current at a specific frequency and analyzing the resulting voltage oscillations, the system determines rotor flux position without mechanical sensors, thereby improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses voltage oscillations as an intermediary to indirectly determine position information, eliminating the need for direct mechanical position sensing. This intermediary approach maintains measurement precision while removing the reliability issues associated with physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach provides a simple, precise, and reliable method for determining the rotor flux vector position, even at zero speed, without the need for position sensors, enhancing motor control accuracy and stability across various speed conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the injection of a first current vector into a first injection frame rotating at a first frequency with respect to a reference frame synchronous with the rotation of the motor... determining a first induced stator flux voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2246973B1Method for determining the position of the flux vector of a motor
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 SCHNEIDER TOSHIBA INVERTER EUROPE SAS
  • EP2246973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2246973B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2246973B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The method involves injecting two current vectors respectively into injection reference frames rotating at two frequencies relative to a reference frame synchronous with the rotation of an electric motor. Stator flux induced voltages respectively delivered at outputs of two integrator modules (12, 13) synchronous with the frames are determined. Position of a rotor flux vector is regulated by minimizing an error (epsilon) between a real position of the flux vector and an estimated position of the flux vector, where the error is determined based on one of the voltages.