HV-ECU Voltage Control for Highland Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices for mobile units with motors and electrical equipment do not adequately account for changes in atmospheric pressure, leading to increased partial discharge and degraded insulation performance, particularly in low-pressure environments like highlands.

Innovation Solution

A control device that adjusts the voltage and resistance values supplied to the motor and electrical equipment based on detected atmospheric pressure to maintain insulation performance within permissible limits, setting lower voltage values and higher resistance values in low-pressure environments to reduce partial discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle operates in a highland environment with low atmospheric pressure, then the discharge inception voltage decreases according to Paschen's law, but the amount of partial discharge within insulators increases and insulation performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidpartial discharge amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device changes the operating voltage parameter based on atmospheric pressure conditions. When low atmospheric pressure is detected (indicating highland environment), the control device reduces the operating voltage to a lower level to suppress partial discharge. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the voltage level to environmental conditions, preventing insulation degradation while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the operating voltage is reduced to suppress partial discharge in low atmospheric pressure environments, then insulation performance is maintained, but the power output and driving performance of the motor decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidmotor power output
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the operating voltage based on real-time atmospheric pressure detection. Instead of using a fixed low voltage, the system optimizes voltage levels according to current environmental conditions. This dynamic control maintains insulation performance when needed while maximizing power output when atmospheric pressure is normal, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes the voltage parameter adaptively based on atmospheric pressure conditions. By detecting atmospheric pressure and adjusting the operating voltage accordingly, the system achieves optimal balance between suppressing partial discharge (when pressure is low) and maintaining power output (when pressure is normal), thus resolving the contradiction between insulation performance and motor power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the control device does not consider atmospheric pressure changes, then the device complexity remains low, but the insulation performance degrades in highland environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device incorporates atmospheric pressure detection and uses this feedback to adjust operating voltage. The atmospheric pressure sensor provides continuous feedback about environmental conditions, and the control device responds by adjusting voltage levels appropriately. This feedback mechanism ensures insulation performance is maintained in highland environments without requiring overly complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device automatically detects atmospheric pressure conditions and self-adjusts the operating voltage without requiring external intervention or complex manual control systems. The system serves itself by monitoring environmental conditions and making appropriate voltage adjustments, maintaining insulation performance while keeping the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 suppresses the deterioration of insulation performance by maintaining partial discharge within acceptable ranges, ensuring reliable operation of mobile units across varying atmospheric conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an atmospheric pressure sensor that detects an atmospheric pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtmospheric pressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

the amount of partial discharge within insulators is increased... the voltage value that is to be supplied to the motor and the electrical equipment such that an amount of partial discharge falls within a permissible range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPartial discharge suppression: Townsend Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP2060433B1Mobile body control device
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2060433B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2060433B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2060433B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An HV-ECU performs a step (S1000) of detecting an atmospheric pressure, a step (S1100) of calculating a maximum value of a boost voltage corresponding to the atmospheric pressure by using a map, and a step (S1200) of setting the maximum value as a system voltage value and controlling a DC/DC converter. Moreover, the HV-ECU may calculate a resistance value of a gate resistance of a switching element corresponding to the atmospheric pressure by using the map and control the gate resistance to achieve the set resistance value.