Motor Drive Switching Control for Power-Loss Arc Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor driving apparatuses face issues with connection switching devices experiencing arc discharge and breakdown due to power failures, leading to contact welding and reduced reliability, especially when electromagnetic or semiconductor switches are used.

Innovation Solution

A motor driving apparatus with a capacitor to store electric charge, a connection switching device, a control power supply generating circuit, an inverter, and a control device that detects electric quantities to predict voltage falls, initiating a braking process to stop the motor before the switching power supply voltage drops below the minimum required, preventing breakdowns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electromagnetic switches are used in the connection switching device, then the device can be operated, but arc discharge and contact welding occur when power supply is lost, leading to breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation of connection switching deviceVSAvoidreliability of connection switching device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device stops the inverter before the switching power supply voltage falls below the minimum required voltage for the connection switching device operation. This preliminary action prevents the electromagnetic switches from operating in a voltage state that would cause arc discharge and contact welding, thereby maintaining reliability while allowing normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the inverter is stopped immediately when power supply is lost, then breakdown is prevented, but the motor continues to rotate at high speed causing contact between rotor and fixed part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of breakdownVSAvoidcontact between rotor and fixed part
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device calculates a predetermined voltage threshold that ensures the motor reaches a safe rotation speed before the inverter is stopped. By stopping the inverter when the switching power supply voltage falls to this predetermined value or higher, the system preliminarily ensures safe deceleration while preventing breakdown, avoiding both harmful outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the switching power supply voltage falls below minimum required voltage, then connection switching device cannot operate, but arc discharge occurs causing contact welding and breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation capability of connection switching deviceVSAvoidbreakdown prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors the switching power supply voltage and uses this feedback to determine when to stop the inverter. By continuously detecting the voltage level and comparing it with the predetermined threshold, the system automatically stops the inverter at the appropriate moment, preventing the voltage from falling to levels that would cause arc discharge while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution effectively prevents breakdowns of the connection switching device, extends the lifetime of the motor driving apparatus, and allows for the use of less expensive components, reducing costs while enhancing reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor configured to store an electric charge to output a DC voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The electromagnetic switches return to a certain connection state when the power supply is lost

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic action: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

If the electromagnetic switches are switched before the inverter for driving the motor is stopped, arc discharge may occur between the contacts, which may result in contact welding, and breakdown

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArc discharge: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentEP3664283B1Motor driving device and refrigeration circuit application equipment
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3664283B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3664283B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3664283B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric quantity of a power supply of a connection switching device (60) for switching the connection state of a motor (7), or at least one electric quantity which varies with the first-mentioned electric quantity is detected (90), the result of the detection is used to detect or predict a fall of a voltage of the switching power supply. Based on the result of the detection or prediction, an inverter is so controlled as to stop the motor before the voltage (V60) of the switching power supply falls below the minimum voltage required for the operation of the connection switching device. Breakdown of the connection switching device can be prevented.