Motor Control Device Harmonic Reduction via Inverter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor control devices with large-capacity electrolytic capacitors are costly and difficult to design and manufacture, while using small-capacity capacitors increases input current harmonics due to LC resonance, necessitating a large DC reactor that contradicts cost reduction goals.

Innovation Solution

A motor control device and method that adjusts the output of the inverter to compensate for harmonic components, reducing input current harmonics without the need for a reactor or LC filter, using a small-capacity film capacitor and a controller to detect voltage and current, calculate compensation values, and adjust switching operations accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a large-capacity electrolytic capacitor is used in the DC link part, then voltage stabilization is improved, but the inverter configuration becomes enlarged and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilizationVSAvoidinverter configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the voltage stabilization function from the large-capacity electrolytic capacitor and implements it through control algorithms in the controller. The controller actively regulates the DC link voltage by adjusting inverter switching based on detected voltage deviations, replacing the passive stabilization provided by large capacitors with active control, thereby reducing the required capacitor capacity and simplifying the overall configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical passive stabilization system (large-capacity electrolytic capacitor) with an electronic active control system. The controller uses voltage detection circuits and control algorithms to dynamically adjust inverter switching, substituting the physical bulk of large capacitors with electronic control mechanisms that achieve the same stabilization effect with reduced component size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a small-capacity film capacitor is used to replace the large capacitor, then cost and size are reduced, but input current harmonics increase due to LC resonance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor capacityVSAvoidinput current harmonics
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by detecting the DC link voltage and using this information to adjust inverter switching. The controller continuously monitors voltage fluctuations caused by small-capacity capacitors and LC resonance, and dynamically adjusts the switching pattern to compensate for harmonics, maintaining voltage stability without requiring large capacitors or additional reactors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the inverter switching based on detected voltage conditions. By adjusting switching timing and duty cycles in response to voltage fluctuations, the system optimizes performance to reduce harmonic generation while maintaining effective voltage stabilization with small-capacity film capacitors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a large-capacity DC reactor is inserted to reduce harmonics, then input current harmonics are reduced, but the cost reduction through capacitor capacity reduction is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput current harmonicsVSAvoidcircuit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the controller as an intermediary that mediates between the small-capacity capacitor and the inverter system. Rather than adding a DC reactor as a passive intermediary component, the active controller serves as a smart intermediary that detects voltage conditions and adjusts switching to reduce harmonics, achieving harmonic mitigation through control intelligence rather than additional passive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If small-capacity capacitors are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but switching efficiency decreases and circuit damage risk increases due to harmonics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidswitching efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary voltage detection and analysis before inverter switching operations. The controller detects DC link voltage conditions in advance and pre-adjusts switching patterns to prevent harmonic generation and overcurrent conditions, thereby protecting the circuit and maintaining switching efficiency while using cost-effective small-capacity capacitors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach reduces input current harmonics, simplifies the device structure, lowers manufacturing costs, and maintains performance by eliminating the need for a DC reactor and LC filter, while effectively reducing both low-order and high-order harmonics.

Implementation Method 1

an input unit rectifying AC power input from the outside into DC power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Implementation Method 2

a smoothing unit smoothing the rectified DC power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive filtering: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

an inverter unit converting the smoothed DC power into AC power and outputting the converted AC power to a motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3343742B1Motor control device and method for controlling motor control device
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3343742B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3343742B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3343742B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided are a motor control device and a method for controlling a motor control device. Harmonics of an input current may be reduced by adjusting an output of an inverter.