Inverter Control Module With Virtual Damping for Stable Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inverter apparatuses for vehicle-to-load systems face efficiency losses and heat generation due to the use of damping resistors, which complicate manufacturing and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a virtual damping resistor within the control module of the inverter apparatus, which calculates and applies a damping control signal to simulate the function of an actual damping resistor, eliminating the need for physical damping resistors and thereby reducing power loss and heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a damping resistor is added in series with the capacitor of the filter module to secure stability during light-load or no-load operation, then the stability of the inverter apparatus is improved, but additional electric power loss occurs in the damping resistor itself and efficiency of the inverter apparatus decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidelectric power loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical damping resistor (mechanical/electrical component) with a virtual damping resistor implemented through control algorithms in the control module. The damping control unit calculates a virtual damping signal based on the capacitor current and virtual damping resistance value, then combines this with the voltage control signal to generate the final PWM signal. This substitution eliminates the need for a physical damping resistor, thereby eliminating the associated power losses while maintaining the stability function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the damping resistance parameter from a fixed physical component value to a configurable virtual parameter that can be adjusted through software control. The control module allows setting of virtual damping resistance values, enabling dynamic adjustment of damping characteristics without changing physical hardware. This parameter change approach eliminates the power loss inherent in physical resistors while maintaining controllable damping effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a damping resistor is added in series on the capacitor of the filter module, then stability during light-load or no-load operation is secured, but additional heat is generated in the damping resistor itself and a manufacturing process is complicated due to additional design of a heat sink

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical damping resistor that generates heat with a virtual damping resistor implemented through control algorithms. Since the virtual damping resistor exists only as a control parameter rather than a physical component, it does not generate heat or require thermal management. This substitution directly resolves the heat generation issue while maintaining the stability function during light-load or no-load operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the damping resistor component from the physical hardware design, keeping only its functional equivalent in the control software. By taking out the physical damping resistor, the patent eliminates the associated heat generation problem and simplifies the manufacturing process by removing the requirement for heat sink design and thermal management components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a damping resistor is added in series on the capacitor of the filter module, then stability during light-load or no-load operation is secured, but the manufacturing process is complicated and cost is increased due to an additional design of a heat sink

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the damping function from the physical hardware domain and relocates it to the software control domain. By removing the damping resistor and its associated heat sink requirements from the manufacturing bill of materials, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces component count, and lowers production costs while maintaining the necessary stability function through virtual damping control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes physical manufacturing components (damping resistor, heat sink) with a software-based control solution. This substitution eliminates the need for additional manufacturing steps, component assembly, and thermal management design, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11949346B2Inverter apparatus, control module of inverter apparatus, and control methods thereof

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 HL MANDO CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an inverter apparatus, a control module of the inverter apparatus, and control methods thereof, and more particularly, to an inverter apparatus enabling stable voltage control using active damping, a control module of the inverter apparatus, and control methods thereof.