Motor Control Device Switching Between Sensorless Vector and V/f Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary compressors experience significant torque fluctuation during compression, leading to vibration and efficiency degradation, particularly at low speeds, which existing motor control technologies fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A motor control device that switches between sensorless vector control and V/f control based on rotational speed, using a model reference adaptive system (MRAS) to estimate the rotational angle and adjust control methods, with a threshold speed range of 10-30 rpm to optimize efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If sensorless vector control is used to maintain high efficiency at low speeds, then motor efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to MRAS control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between sensorless vector control and V/f control based on rotational speed thresholds. At low speeds (below threshold), sensorless vector control with MRAS is activated to maintain high efficiency. At higher speeds (above threshold), the system transitions to simpler V/f control, thus adapting the control complexity to the operational requirements and avoiding unnecessary complexity across all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If V/f control is used for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but motor efficiency deteriorates at low speeds due to torque fluctuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidmotor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic control method selection based on rotational speed. When the motor operates in the low-speed region where V/f control causes efficiency degradation, the system automatically switches to sensorless vector control with MRAS, which compensates for torque fluctuation and maintains high efficiency. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal efficiency without permanently increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If control method switching is implemented to optimize efficiency across all speeds, then motor efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol switching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements automatic switching between control methods based on rotational speed thresholds. The switching unit monitors motor speed and transitions between sensorless vector control and V/f control modes, optimizing efficiency across different operating regions without requiring manual intervention or complex decision logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from rotational speed sensing to automatically select the appropriate control method. The control switching unit continuously monitors motor speed and adjusts the control strategy accordingly, ensuring optimal efficiency while keeping the switching logic simple and rule-based.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3355466B1Motor control device, rotary compressor system and motor control method
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST
  • EP3355466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3355466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3355466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device (70) which performs control of enhancing the efficiency of a motor (18) in a rotary compressor (10) is provided. A motor control device (70) includes a control method switching unit (72) which is configured to acquire a rotational speed of a motor (18) configured to rotationally drive a piston rotor of a rotary compressor (10), and to switch a control method of the motor (18) to a control method with higher efficiency on the basis of the efficiency of the motor (18) at the rotational speed acquired by the rotational speed information acquiring unit.