Power Conversion Device Voltage Vector Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion devices with individually provided capacitors for each inverter struggle to effectively reduce capacitor currents, as the control methods used in such configurations are inadequate for minimizing impedance and voltage fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion device comprising two inverters with semiconductor switching elements, two capacitors, and a control unit that calculates voltage command values and outputs on/off signals to form the second closest and third closest voltage vectors to the voltage command vector, reducing capacitor currents by optimizing voltage vector selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If capacitors are individually provided for two respective inverters, then the voltage applied to the inverters can be kept constant, but the capacitor currents increase and the capacitors cannot be downsized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidcapacitor current
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameters by selectively outputting the second closest and third closest voltage vectors instead of the conventional closest voltage vector. This parameter change in the voltage vector selection strategy modifies the capacitor current characteristics, enabling current reduction while maintaining voltage stability with individually provided capacitors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the closest voltage vector is output to the inverter, then the voltage control precision is improved, but the capacitor current increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage control precisionVSAvoidcapacitor current
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the voltage vector selection parameter by choosing the second closest and third closest voltage vectors instead of the closest one. This parameter change achieves a balance between voltage control precision and capacitor current reduction, proving that optimal control does not always require the closest voltage vector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential disadvantage of selecting a slightly less precise voltage vector into a benefit by significantly reducing capacitor current. The second closest and third closest voltage vectors, while not the absolute closest, provide sufficient voltage control precision while delivering the beneficial effect of current reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If one common capacitor is provided for two inverters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the voltage stability deteriorates due to wiring inductance and resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor configurationVSAvoidvoltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts a segmented capacitor configuration where two capacitors are individually provided for two inverters instead of one common capacitor. This segmentation improves voltage stability by eliminating the negative effects of wiring inductance and resistance, and the control method further optimizes the system by reducing capacitor currents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3675352B1Power conversion device and electric power steering device
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3675352B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675352B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3675352B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A power conversion device is configured to output, to each of two inverters configured to invert a DC voltage output from a DC power supply to three-phase AC voltages, on/off signals for switching on and off respective semiconductor switching elements of each of the inverters so that, out of a plurality of voltage vectors defined so as to correspond to patterns of the on/off signals, the second closest voltage vector and the third closest voltage vector in phase to a voltage command vector that is based on a voltage command value calculated for each of the inverters are formed.