Inverter Voltage Conversion Switch Short Circuit Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicles, a short circuit failure in switch elements can cause regeneration current to flow into the affected switch, leading to overheating due to the lack of effective prevention mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle control apparatus comprising a first and second inverter, a voltage conversion part, a detection part, and a control part that performs phase short circuit control to prevent regeneration current from flowing into a switch element with a short circuit failure by connecting and disconnecting switches between the inverters, thereby isolating the faulty switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the low-voltage-side switch is controlled to be in an OFF state to prevent short circuit current, then the switch element may be damaged due to short circuit failure, but regeneration current cannot be effectively blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a detection part as an intermediary component that monitors the state of the low-voltage-side switch and triggers a control response. This intermediary detection mechanism enables the system to identify switch failures and activate the phase short circuit control strategy, which redirects regeneration current away from the faulty switch through the second inverter's switch elements, thereby protecting the original switch from damage while managing the harmful regeneration current.
2Reliability
If phase short circuit control is performed to prevent regeneration current flow, then switch element damage is avoided, but vehicle operation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of switch element failures before they cause catastrophic damage. The detection part monitors switch states in real-time, and upon detecting a failure condition, the control part activates phase short circuit control as a preliminary protective measure. This preliminary action prevents the progression to more severe damage while providing time for safe vehicle stoppage, balancing protection needs with operational continuity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the low-voltage-side switch remains in ON state to maintain power flow, then power transmission is maintained, but short circuit current causes overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the detection part continuously monitors the electrical state of the low-voltage-side switch and provides information to the control part. Based on this feedback, the control part determines when to activate phase short circuit control. This feedback loop enables the system to respond dynamically to switch conditions, maintaining normal power flow when switches are healthy and activating protective measures when temperature or current anomalies indicate potential failure, thus balancing power transmission efficiency with temperature control.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle control apparatus includes: a first inverter; a second inverter; and a voltage conversion part configured to increase or decrease an operation voltage of one of the first inverter and the second inverter by an open-close control of a switch and supply the increased or decreased operation voltage as an operation voltage of another of the first inverter and the second inverter. The voltage conversion part includes: a reference voltage line; a low-voltage-side switch that is connected to and between the reference voltage line and a high-voltage-side power line of the second inverter; and a high-voltage-side switch that is connected to and between a high-voltage-side power line of the first inverter and a high-voltage-side power line of the second inverter. The in-vehicle control apparatus includes: a detection part that detects a short circuit failure of the low-voltage-side switch; and a control part that performs a phase short circuit control that short-circuits at least one of a plurality of low-voltage-side switches and a plurality of high-voltage-side switches of the second inverter upon detection of a short circuit failure of the low-voltage-side switch by the detection part.