Parallel Inverter Modules Synchronized Control Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of hybrid and electric vehicles, connecting multiple inverter modules in parallel leads to runtime tolerances in control paths, resulting in undesirable cross currents among power circuit breakers due to component variations, which existing technologies attempt to mitigate with balance chokes that are costly and space-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a circuit system where a master inverter module transmits a high-voltage side control signal or a signal derived from it to slave modules, bypassing the low-voltage side signal transmission, and includes a driver output stage to intensify the control signal, reducing runtime differences and potentially eliminating the need for balance chokes by ensuring synchronized switching of power circuit breakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple inverter modules are connected in parallel to increase performance, then the power handling capability and performance of the pulse-controlled inverter system is improved, but runtime tolerances in control paths cause power circuit breakers to connect at different times resulting in undesirable cross currents
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal transmission path is segmented into two separate paths: a low-voltage control signal path for the master module and a high-voltage control signal path for slave modules. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each path, enabling the master module to generate control signals at low voltage while slave modules receive synchronized control signals at high voltage, thereby eliminating runtime tolerances and ensuring simultaneous connection of parallel-connected power circuit breakers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes equipotential control by transmitting the same control signal to both master and slave modules through separate but synchronized transmission paths. The control signals are generated simultaneously at the master module and transmitted to slave modules via dedicated high-voltage paths, ensuring that all power circuit breakers in parallel-connected inverter modules experience identical control timing and connect simultaneously, preventing cross currents.
2Reliability
If balance chokes are used to prevent cross currents in parallel-connected inverter modules, then the synchronization problem is mitigated, but the system becomes more costly and requires more installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for balance chokes by implementing a synchronized control signal transmission architecture. Instead of using passive balance chokes to mitigate cross currents, the invention actively prevents their occurrence by ensuring simultaneous switching of parallel-connected power circuit breakers through separate low-voltage and high-voltage control signal paths, thereby removing the harmful component and reducing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of runtime tolerances and cross currents into a benefit by using the low-voltage control signal path to generate control signals that are simultaneously transmitted to slave modules via high-voltage paths. This approach transforms what could be a synchronization problem into a solution where the control architecture itself ensures simultaneous switching, eliminating the need for additional corrective components like balance chokes.
3Ease of manufacture
If low-voltage side control signals are transmitted to slave modules, then the control signal transmission is simplified, but component tolerances in transmission circuits cause runtime differences and desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary high-voltage control signal transmission path that bridges the master module and slave modules. The low-voltage control signal generated by the master module serves as an intermediary that triggers the generation of high-voltage control signals in slave modules, ensuring that all modules operate from the same reference timing while maintaining electrical isolation and voltage level compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the control signal transmission path from low-voltage to high-voltage for the slave modules. By transmitting control signals at high voltage levels through dedicated paths, the patent overcomes the limitations of low-voltage transmission and component tolerances, ensuring that control signals arrive simultaneously at all slave modules and maintaining precise timing synchronization across parallel-connected inverter modules.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit system having at least two inverter modules connected in parallel, each of which includes an inverter circuit having power semiconductor circuit breakers and a gate driver circuit for controlling the power semiconductor circuit breakers; the gate driver circuit of a first inverter module includes a signal transmission circuit via which a control signal is transmittable from a low-voltage side to a high-voltage side, and a first driver output terminal which is electrically connected to the first driver input terminals of the gate driver circuits of the inverter modules connected in parallel, and via which the high-voltage side control signal or a control signal deduced therefrom is transmittable to the gate driver circuits of the inverter modules connected in parallel. The power semiconductor circuit breakers of the inverter circuits of the inverter modules, connected in parallel to the first inverter module, are controlled based on the transmitted control signal.