Motor Torque Derating Using Time-Based Stator Thermal Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current derating algorithms for electric motors in vehicles only allow for operation at low temperatures, underutilizing the motor's full torque capacity and limiting its high-temperature operation to a short duration, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve starting a timer when the motor's stator temperature exceeds a high threshold, selecting a blend ratio based on time, and interpolating between long-term and short-term derating curves to manage torque capacity, allowing extended high-temperature operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor operates at high temperatures for extended periods, then the motor can provide sustained high torque output, but thermal damage occurs to the stator windings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a time-varying derating curve that dynamically adjusts the relationship between temperature and torque capacity. Instead of using a static derating algorithm, the system continuously updates the derating factor based on elapsed time at high temperature, allowing the motor to transition from conservative low-temperature derating to more aggressive high-temperature derating as time progresses, thereby enabling sustained high torque output while preventing thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of derating factor as a function of time and temperature. The system modifies the derating algorithm to incorporate time-based adjustments, where the derating factor evolves from an initial conservative value to a later relaxed value. This parameter change allows the motor to operate at higher torque levels for extended periods by adapting the thermal management strategy based on cumulative thermal exposure.
2Reliability
If a conservative derating algorithm is used to prevent thermal damage, then the motor operates safely at low temperatures, but the full torque capacity is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a time-based derating strategy that starts conservative and progressively relaxes. The system initially applies strong derating to ensure safety when the motor first reaches high temperature, then gradually reduces the derating intensity over time. This preliminary conservative approach transitions into a more productive phase, allowing the motor to utilize fuller torque capacity after demonstrating stable operation at elevated temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the derating factor based on the duration of high-temperature operation. The derating curve is not static but evolves over time, starting with aggressive derating to protect against thermal damage and progressively relaxing to allow higher torque output. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the safety margin based on cumulative thermal exposure rather than applying a fixed conservative limit.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a system that performs a method of derating a motor of the vehicle. The system includes a timer and a processor. The processor is configured to start the timer when a temperature of a stator of the motor exceeds a high temperature threshold, select a blend ratio based on a time value on the timer, determine, using the blend ratio, an intermediate derating curve for the motor by interpolating between a first derating curve associated with a first target temperature and a second derating curve associated with a second target temperature greater than the first target temperature, and derate the motor along the intermediate derating curve.


