Power Conversion Device Step-Out Detection via Phase Difference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting step-out in synchronous motors face challenges in low-speed regions where induced voltage is small, making stable detection difficult.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion device that determines step-out by analyzing the phase difference between command voltage and detection current, independent of induced voltage, using a step-out determination unit that computes current and voltage phases and compares them within a prescribed range to detect motor anomalies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If step-out detection is performed using induced voltage of the synchronous motor, then step-out detection can be implemented, but detection becomes difficult in low-speed regions where induced voltage is small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestep-out detection reliabilityVSAvoidinduced voltage measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using current detection values and voltage command values as mediators to indirectly determine step-out. Instead of directly measuring induced voltage, the system computes the phase of current detection values and compares it with the phase of voltage command values. This intermediary method allows step-out detection to function reliably even when direct induced voltage measurement becomes unreliable at low speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electrical measurement-based detection method (using induced voltage) with a computational method based on phase comparison. By substituting the direct electrical measurement with a computational analysis of current and voltage phases, the system achieves reliable step-out detection across all speed ranges, including low-speed regions where induced voltage is insufficient for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If induced voltage-based detection is used, then the detection method is simple to implement, but detection accuracy deteriorates in low-speed regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system implementation easeVSAvoidstep-out detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from induced voltage magnitude to current phase angle. By transforming the detection basis from voltage-based to phase-based parameters, the system maintains implementation simplicity while significantly improving detection accuracy in low-speed regions. The phase comparison method uses readily available current detection values and voltage command values, avoiding the need for additional sensors or complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If voltage command and current detection phase comparison is used, then step-out detection is stable in low-speed regions, but computation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestep-out detection stabilityVSAvoidphase computation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection process into distinct computational steps: obtaining current detection values, computing current phase, obtaining voltage command values, computing voltage phase, and comparing phases. This segmentation of the computational process makes the complex phase comparison method more manageable and implementable, breaking down the overall complexity into smaller, more manageable computational tasks that can be executed systematically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3089354B1Power conversion device
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP3089354B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3089354B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3089354B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This power conversion device identifies step-out from the phase of a command voltage and the phase of a current produced as a result thereof and as such is not affected by either an induced voltage that becomes smaller at low speeds or current fluctuation due to a load, allowing stable step-out detection. This power conversion device has a DC-voltage unit that smooths a DC voltage, a power conversion unit that converts said DC voltage to an AC voltage, a current acquisition unit that acquires the current flowing through the power conversion unit, an output computation unit that computes the output voltage of the power conversion unit from the current acquired by the current acquisition unit, and a step-out determination unit that determines whether or not step-out has occurred in a synchronous motor connected to the power conversion unit. The step-out determination unit uses the difference between the phase of the current acquired by the current acquisition unit and the phase of the output voltage computed by the output computation unit to determine whether or not step-out has occurred in the aforementioned synchronous motor.