Inverter Safety Module CPU Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inverter systems require complex configurations with multiple processing units for safety processing, leading to increased complexity and delays due to the need for redundant processing units and intercommunications, which complicates the system and prolongs the time from receiving a safety signal to initiating a safety operation.

Innovation Solution

The inverter system is designed with a communication module and a safety module, where the communication module handles communication and safety processing, and the control unit integrates the results, reducing the need for redundant processing units and simplifying the system configuration by dividing safety processing tasks between the communication and safety modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant processing units are used for safety processing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety processing reliabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the safety signal reception function and safety determination function into a single integrated processing unit. The communication unit receives safety signals and the same unit determines safety based on these signals, eliminating the need for separate redundant processing units. This merging maintains safety reliability while reducing system complexity and the number of required processing units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple processing units are used for safety processing, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety function reliabilityVSAvoiddelay from receiving safety signal to initiating safety operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating safety signal reception and safety determination functions into one processing unit, the patent eliminates the time delay caused by intercommunications between multiple processing units. The single unit can directly process safety signals and initiate safety operations without waiting for data exchange with other units, thereby reducing response time while maintaining reliability through the unified safety determination logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If redundant processing units are used, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety processing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces manufacturing costs by merging safety processing functions into existing communication and control units, eliminating the need to manufacture additional redundant processing units. The communication unit that already exists in the system is enhanced to perform safety determination, avoiding the cost of producing and integrating separate safety processing hardware while maintaining the required safety reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple processing units with intercommunications are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety communication reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of processing units and intercommunications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the complexity of multiple processing units and their intercommunications by implementing safety determination within the same communication unit that receives safety signals. This removes the need for complex data exchange protocols and communication interfaces between separate units, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining safety communication reliability through direct local processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2541349B1Inverter system having a safety module
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP2541349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2541349B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2541349B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inverter system 2 is a system including a communication module 21 having a communication function carrying out transmission and reception of communication data with an external controller 1 through a network 3, a control unit 24 outputting a control signal to an electric power converter 23 on the basis of the communication data, and a safety module 22 having a safety function established by the communication data, in which system the communication module 21 is provided with a central processing unit 21b so that a part of the safety function of the safety module 22 is executed by the central processing unit 21b. Thus, the inverter system 2 is provided as an inverter system in which the number of central processing units for carrying out safety processing can be reduced.