Motor Control Apparatus for Rapid V/f Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor control systems face challenges in quickly transitioning an induction motor from a free running state to a V/f control state, as they rely on waiting for the motor's rotation speed to decrease spontaneously, which is inefficient and can lead to overcurrent issues.

Innovation Solution

A motor control apparatus and method that actively adjust the applied voltage and frequency to ensure a predetermined relationship is maintained, using a voltage regulator, frequency regulator, mode changer, and determinator to interchange voltage increase and frequency decrease modes based on current thresholds, allowing for quick alignment of frequency with the motor's rotation speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the motor control system waits for the motor's rotation speed to decrease spontaneously, then the transition to V/f control can be achieved, but the transition time is extended and overcurrent risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransition stabilityVSAvoidtransition time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary actions by actively adjusting voltage and frequency before the natural speed decrease completes. The voltage regulator increases voltage while the frequency regulator decreases frequency in coordination, preparing the motor for V/f control transition ahead of time rather than waiting passively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses feedback from current detection to monitor the motor state continuously. When current exceeds or falls below thresholds, the mode changer switches between voltage increase mode and frequency decrease mode, creating a closed-loop control that actively manages the transition process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the frequency is far from the rotation speed of the induction motor, then the motor can operate in free running state, but torque current component increases causing overcurrent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating state flexibilityVSAvoidovercurrent
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts both voltage and frequency in real-time based on motor state. The voltage regulator and frequency regulator work together to continuously modify operating parameters, transitioning from static free-running state to dynamic V/f control state adaptively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key operating parameters (voltage and frequency) simultaneously and coordinately. The voltage increase mode and frequency decrease mode alter the electrical parameters to match the motor's mechanical state, preventing torque current spikes while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the voltage is increased while maintaining fixed frequency, then the output voltage reaches limit, but the frequency cannot be increased to match motor speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltageVSAvoidfrequency adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control process is segmented into distinct modes: voltage increase mode and frequency decrease mode. The mode changer separates the control functions, allowing voltage to be increased in one mode and frequency to be adjusted in another mode, avoiding the limitation of having to choose one parameter over the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses periodic switching between voltage increase mode and frequency decrease mode based on current thresholds. This periodic action allows the system to alternately adjust voltage and frequency parameters, achieving coordinated control that neither mode could accomplish alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2869454B1Motor control apparatus and method for controlling motor
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP2869454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2869454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2869454B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor control apparatus controls an induction motor to change from a free running state to a state in which a voltage applied to the induction motor and a frequency of the voltage satisfy a relationship. A voltage regulator executes a voltage increase mode to increase the voltage from a lower limit of a first range over time. A frequency regulator executes a frequency decrease mode to decrease the frequency from an upper limit of a second range over time. When a current through the induction motor exceeds a first threshold in the voltage increase mode, a mode changer changes to the frequency decrease mode. When the current through the induction motor becomes smaller than a second threshold smaller than the first threshold in the frequency decrease mode, the mode changer changes to the voltage increase mode. A determinator determines whether the voltage and the frequency satisfy the relationship.