Motor Failure Detection Using Torque Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor failure detection systems are unreliable due to the failure of position sensors, which can lead to accidents when a motor becomes stuck, as they fail to accurately determine motor failure, especially when all position sensors indicate a stuck condition.
Innovation Solution
A motor failure detection apparatus and method utilizing both position sensors and a torque sensor, where the failure detector uses signal variations from multiple position sensors and torque measurements to determine motor failure, and when position sensors fail, it employs torque sensor data to confirm motor stuck conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only position sensors are used for motor failure detection, then the detection system is simple, but the reliability of motor failure detection deteriorates when position sensors fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines position sensors and torque sensors into a unified detection system. The controller integrates signals from both sensor types to determine motor failure, thereby maintaining system simplicity while improving detection reliability through multi-sensor data fusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque sensor serves dual purposes: it detects driver steering torque for normal steering control and detects motor failure conditions when position sensors malfunction. This multi-functionality improves reliability without significantly increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple position sensors are used to improve detection reliability, then motor failure detection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple position sensors with a torque sensor into an integrated detection system. The controller processes signals from all sensors together, using their combined information to determine motor failure, thereby achieving high reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If torque sensor is added to detect motor failure when position sensors fail, then motor failure detection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting driver steering torque during normal operation and detecting motor failure when position sensors malfunction. This multi-functionality improves reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque sensor serves itself by providing backup detection capability. When position sensors fail, the torque sensor automatically takes over the motor failure detection function without requiring additional dedicated sensors, thereby improving reliability with minimal complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for detecting a motor failure capable of detecting a motor failure using a position sensor and, when a motor failure is not detected using the position sensor, detecting a motor failure using a torque sensor. An apparatus for detecting a motor failure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of position sensors each configured to output signals related to a position of a motor, a torque sensor configured to detect torque of the motor according to rotation of a steering wheel, and a failure detector configured to, when all of the signals related to the position of the motor which have been output from the plurality of position sensors indicate that the motor is stuck, detect whether the motor has failed by using a variation of the torque of the motor.