Inverter Control Device for Reducing Motor Overcurrent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inverter control devices for electric motors in hybrid and electric vehicles face issues with overcurrent generation due to 3n-order harmonic currents, especially when their frequency exceeds the controllable frequency, leading to increased losses and potential breakdown.

Innovation Solution

The control device calculates and adjusts dq-axis current command values and zero-phase current command values to ensure their vector sum does not exceed a predetermined current value, preventing overcurrent by using a combination of current command calculation, dq-axis current control, and zero-phase current management, thereby restricting the current output within safe limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a 3n-order harmonic voltage command value is calculated to cancel 3n-order harmonic current, then the harmonic current is reduced and loss is decreased, but there is a risk that overcurrent is generated when the harmonic current frequency exceeds the controllable frequency of the inverter control device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecopper lossVSAvoidovercurrent risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the controllable frequency based on the operating conditions and harmonic current frequency characteristics. By making the frequency adaptive rather than fixed, the system can track and control harmonic currents across a broader frequency range, preventing overcurrent while maintaining harmonic cancellation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of controllable frequency based on the detected harmonic current frequency. When the harmonic frequency exceeds the original controllable frequency range, the system adjusts the frequency parameter to expand the controllable range, thereby maintaining reliable harmonic current cancellation without generating overcurrent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the controllable frequency of the inverter control device is increased to handle higher frequency harmonic currents, then overcurrent is prevented, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveovercurrent preventionVSAvoidinverter control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary detection of the harmonic current frequency and proactively adjusts the controllable frequency before overcurrent occurs. By anticipating the need for frequency adjustment based on operating conditions, the system prevents overcurrent without requiring permanently oversized or overly complex control hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inverter control device autonomously detects its own controllable frequency limitations and self-adjusts the frequency parameter based on the harmonic current characteristics. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external complex control systems or manual intervention, maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3306810B1Inverter control device
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP3306810B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3306810B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3306810B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to reduce an overcurrent of an inverter and a motor. A control device for an electric motor in which windings of respective phases are independently connected, the control device for the electric motor uses a zero-phase current calculation means for calculating a zero-phase current based on detection values of currents of the respective phases flowing in the electric motor and a position of a rotor of the electric motor to control a current flowing in the electric motor such that a vector sum of a drive current and the zero-phase current is equal to or lower than a predetermined current.