Fuel Cell Vehicle Multiphase Converter Offset Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell vehicle systems with multiphase converters cannot detect offset failures in current sensors, leading to potential power shortages or excessive power supply to electric loads, as they only account for failures fixing output values to upper, intermediate, or lower values, neglecting offset failures.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle system that includes a multiphase converter, current sensors, and a control unit capable of detecting offset failures by replacing phases driven by the converter while maintaining constant output current, determining an offset failure when energy imbalances are eliminated after phase replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional current sensor failure detection methods are used that only check for fixed output values (upper, intermediate, lower), then failures fixing output to specific values can be detected, but offset failures cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by switching between different drive phases (first drive phase and second drive phase) to dynamically test the current sensor. Instead of using a static detection method that only checks for fixed output values, the system dynamically changes the operating phase and compares sensor readings across different phases to detect offset failures that would otherwise be invisible to conventional methods.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the multiphase converter continues normal control operation with an offset failure in the current sensor, then continuous power supply is maintained, but power shortage or excessive power supply occurs leading to control stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing failure detection before the system enters a faulty state. The control unit executes the phase-switching detection routine to identify offset failures in current sensors before they cause power shortages or excessive power supply that would lead to control stoppage. This proactive detection allows the system to maintain reliable operation by identifying and addressing sensor failures early.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle according to the present disclosure includes: a fuel cell; a multiphase converter configured to control an output current of the fuel cell; a current sensor provided in each phase of the multiphase converter; an electric load configured to receive power supplied from the fuel cell; and a control unit. The control unit performs, when it detects an excess or a deficiency of electric energy of the electric load, replacement of phases driven by the multiphase converter while the output current of the fuel cell is kept constant, and determines, when the excess or the deficiency of the electric energy of the electric load is eliminated after the replacement of the phases, that an offset failure has occurred in the current sensor provided in the phase that has been driven before the replacement.