Power Conversion Device Zero-Phase Voltage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power conversion devices experience current pulsation and skipping, especially in electric motors with small electrical time constants, due to non-continuous phase voltages during transient periods of two-phase and three-phase switching.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion device that dynamically adjusts and inserts a zero-phase voltage into the voltage command based on frequency or time, using a control circuit to ensure continuous phase voltage and minimize current pulsation and skipping, by generating and adjusting zero-phase voltages in accordance with the voltage command characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If zero-phase voltage is inserted to improve voltage utilization factor, then voltage utilization is improved, but phase voltage becomes non-continuous causing current pulsation and skipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage utilization factorVSAvoidcurrent continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the zero-phase voltage insertion strategy based on motor operating conditions. The control circuit determines whether to insert zero-phase voltage by evaluating phase voltage commands and motor state, transitioning between two-phase and three-phase switching modes adaptively to maintain current continuity while improving voltage utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the modulation parameters (zero-phase voltage amplitude and insertion timing) based on operating conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes voltage utilization factor while preventing current pulsation and skipping in the motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If two-phase switching is used to reduce switching losses, then switching loss is reduced, but current pulsation occurs in motors with small electrical time constant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidcurrent stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between two-phase and three-phase switching modes based on real-time motor operating conditions. The control circuit transitions between modes adaptively, using two-phase switching when appropriate to reduce losses while switching to three-phase mode when current stability is compromised, especially in motors with small electrical time constants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit uses feedback from phase voltage commands and motor operating state to determine the appropriate switching mode. By continuously monitoring system state and adjusting switching strategy accordingly, the system reduces switching losses while maintaining current stability through adaptive mode selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3232561B1Power conversion device and method for controlling power conversion device
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP3232561B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3232561B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3232561B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

During a transition period in which two-phase switching and three-phase switching are mixed in the technology disclosed in document 1, phase voltage is momentarily non-continuous, and consequently, for example, there are cases of current pulsation and current skipping in electric motors having a small electrical time constant. Thus, a power conversion device for controlling an electric motor by converting AC voltage or DC voltage into a desired voltage by operating a switching circuit, the power conversion device being characterized by being equipped with a control circuit for changing a first modulation zero-phase voltage to be inserted into a voltage command for each phase, depending on frequency or voltage or time.