Power Converter Abnormality Cause Identification via Quadrant Plotting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing abnormality determination methods for power converters cannot identify causes of abnormalities that do not lead to converter failure or distinguish between internal and external environmental issues, leading to costly manual investigations.

Innovation Solution

An abnormality cause identifying method that plots calculated values on Cartesian coordinates to determine the quadrant in which an abnormality occurs, allowing for automated identification of the cause based on the plotted data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual investigation is performed to identify abnormality causes, then identification accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality cause identification accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption for abnormality investigation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The power converter performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing detection values and control parameters to identify abnormality causes. The control unit calculates evaluation values from detected parameters and compares them against stored abnormality patterns, enabling the system to autonomously determine whether abnormalities originate from internal components or external environments without requiring manual investigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical investigation with automated computational analysis. The control unit uses calculation processing to evaluate detection values and control parameters, substituting human analysts with algorithm-based automated diagnosis that quickly identifies abnormality causes through mathematical evaluation and pattern matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive manual analysis is conducted to distinguish internal and external abnormality causes, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality source discrimination accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments abnormality causes into distinct categories (internal power converter issues versus external environment issues) and assigns specific evaluation criteria to each category. The control unit calculates different evaluation values based on the type of abnormality suspected, enabling rapid classification and identification of whether the problem originates from internal components or external factors without comprehensive manual analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of detection parameters by calculating evaluation values that transform raw detection data into diagnostic indicators. The control unit processes detection values and control parameters through mathematical operations to generate evaluation results that directly indicate abnormality sources, enabling efficient discrimination between internal and external causes through parameter transformation rather than manual analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If automated abnormality detection is implemented, then response speed is improved, but ability to identify non-fatal abnormalities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality detection response speedVSAvoidnon-fatal abnormality identification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores multiple types of abnormality patterns and evaluation criteria in advance within the control unit. By pre-programming various abnormality scenarios including non-fatal conditions, the system is prepared to quickly recognize and accurately identify different types of abnormalities as they occur, maintaining both rapid response speed and high identification precision for non-fatal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors detection values and control parameters, providing real-time feedback to identify abnormalities. The automated detection system compares current operational parameters against stored patterns and provides immediate feedback when deviations are detected, enabling rapid identification of non-fatal abnormalities while maintaining accurate distinction between different abnormality types through continuous parameter monitoring and comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11275124B2Abnormality cause identifying method, abnormality cause identifying device, power converter and power conversion system

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

An abnormality cause identifying method that is applied to a computer is provided. The abnormality cause identifying method includes: outputting a control parameter that is calculated based on a detection value detected from a power converter that converts power supplied from a power supply and supplies the converted power to a load; plotting, on coordinates having at least two axes, a value that is calculated using the detection value and the control parameter; and identifying an abnormality cause based on a quadrant of the coordinates on which the value is plotted.