Power Converter Gate Drive Reset for Static Discharge Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power conversion apparatuses face issues with malfunctions due to static electricity, leading to short circuits between DC buses, which hinder capacitor pre-charge and result in unnecessary replacements, as the vehicle controller cannot distinguish between static-induced malfunctions and actual short-circuit malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
The power conversion apparatus incorporates a gate signal controller that transmits specific gate signals to temporarily turn on and off switching elements, using falling edges to reset the gate drive circuits and prevent short circuits, allowing the system to recover from static-induced malfunctions and complete pre-charge normally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle controller detects a short circuit between DC buses during capacitor pre-charge, then the power conversion apparatus is replaced, but unnecessary replacements occur when the short circuit is actually caused by static electricity that can be reset
Solution Approach 1:
The gate signal controller performs a preliminary reset action by transmitting gate signals to turn on and off the switching elements before determining whether to end the pre-charge process. This preliminary action clears static-induced malfunctions that would otherwise be misdiagnosed as permanent short circuits, preventing unnecessary apparatus replacements while ensuring reliable pre-charge completion
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of static electricity-induced short circuits into a beneficial reset mechanism. By detecting the short circuit condition and responding with gate signals to toggle switching elements, the system transforms what would be a fatal error into a self-correcting event, improving both reliability and reducing unnecessary replacements
2Reliability
If the gate signal controller transmits gate signals to turn on and off switching elements during pre-charge, then static-induced malfunctions are cleared and pre-charge succeeds, but additional control complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gate signal controller performs multiple functions: it controls the switching elements during normal pre-charge operation and simultaneously serves as a reset mechanism for static-induced malfunctions. This multi-functionality allows the system to clear errors without adding separate reset hardware, managing complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the short circuit detection to trigger the gate signal transmission. When a short circuit is detected during pre-charge, the controller feeds back by transmitting gate signals to toggle the switching elements, creating a closed-loop error correction mechanism that improves pre-charge success without requiring complex open-loop control additions
Data Source
AI summary
A power conversion apparatus includes positive-side and negative-side switching elements, positive-side and negative-side gate drive circuits, a capacitor and a gate signal controller. The positive-side switching element is disposed between a positive-side direct-current bus and an output node. The negative-side switching element is disposed between a negative-side direct-current bus and the output node. The gate drive circuits turn on and off the respective switching elements. The capacitor is inserted between the buses. The gate signal controller transmits, to the gate drive circuits, gate signals to instruct turning on or off the switching elements. In response to a start instruction of pre-charge of the capacitor, the gate signal controller transmits a first gate signal to temporarily turn on and then off the positive-side gate drive circuit and transmits a second gate signal to temporarily turn on and then turn off the negative-side gate drive circuit.