Power Conversion Device Protection Signal Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic power devices face high manufacturing costs and reliability issues due to the use of optical-isolation components for transmitting fault signals, and a complex structure resulting from the need for individual isolated pulse transformers for each power semiconductor switch.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion device utilizing a single isolated pulse transformer and protection signal processing circuit to transmit fault signals, simplifying the structure and reducing costs by using a signal magnetic-isolating unit to isolate and transmit protection signals effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical-isolation components are used to transmit fault signals, then signal isolation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the isolation function from traditional optical-isolation components and implements it through a different mechanism - using the pulse transformer's inherent galvanic isolation capability combined with specific circuit configuration. This removes the need for separate optical-isolation components while maintaining signal isolation, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a protection signal processing circuit as an intermediary that processes fault signals through the pulse transformer's isolation capability. This intermediary circuit enables signal transmission with isolation without requiring optical components, achieving the same isolation effect through electromagnetic coupling instead of optical coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If individual isolated pulse transformers are used for each power semiconductor switch, then fault signal transmission is achieved, but device structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault signal transmissionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple isolated pulse transformers into a single pulse transformer by configuring multiple power semiconductor switches to share one transformer. The protection signal processing circuit combines fault signals from multiple switches and transmits them through the single transformer, thereby simplifying the structure while maintaining reliable fault signal transmission for all switches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pulse transformer is designed to serve multiple functions - it handles both the driving signals for multiple power semiconductor switches and the fault signal transmission for all those switches. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate transformers for each switch, reducing structural complexity while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution reduces manufacturing costs and enhances reliability by eliminating the need for multiple isolated pulse transformers and optical-isolation components, while maintaining effective fault signal transmission and device operation.

Implementation Method 1

an isolated pulse transforming unit to receive the protection pulse signal, and output the protection pulse signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2961067B1Power conversion device and method for transmitting protection signal using the same
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP2961067B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2961067B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2961067B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A power conversion device includes a power semiconductor switch module (150), a driving signal-transmitting circuit (120), a plurality of failure-detecting circuits (140), a protection signal transmitting circuit (130) and a control circuit (110). The driving signal transmitting circuit receives a control signal and generates a driving signal according to the control signal to drive the power semiconductor switch module. The failure detecting circuits generate a fault signal when they detect that one of the power semiconductor switches and/or the driving signal transmitting circuit is malfunctioning. The isolated pulse transforming unit of the protection signal transmitting circuit receives a corresponding fault pulse signal generated according to the fault signal, and outputs a protection pulse signal. The control circuit generates the control signal and receives a protection signal generated according to the protection pulse signal. The control circuit generates a turn off signal according to the protection signal to turn off the power semiconductor switch module.