Power Converter Dead-Time Control for Harmonic Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power converters with current compensation units fail to adequately compensate for harmonic components in load currents due to long dead times in the carrier period of the inverter.

Innovation Solution

The power converter includes a current compensation unit with a drive signal generator that sets the dead time of the switching elements based on specific frequency and power conditions to minimize harmonic emissions, using a three-phase modulation method and a current compensation unit inverter with MOSFET switching elements, along with a compensation controller to reduce harmonic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the carrier period of the current compensation unit inverter includes a long dead time, then the switching elements have sufficient time to prevent current overlap, but the harmonic component compensation becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching element operation reliabilityVSAvoidharmonic component compensation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the dead time variable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the dead time duration based on real-time operating conditions (output voltage command value, switching element state) to optimize both reliability and compensation precision across different operating points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of dead time from a constant value to a dynamically adjusted parameter. By modifying the dead time parameter according to operating conditions, the system achieves better harmonic compensation while maintaining switching reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the dead time is reduced to improve harmonic compensation, then the compensating current accuracy increases, but the risk of current overlap and switching failures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensating current accuracyVSAvoidswitching element operation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts dead time based on real-time monitoring of switching element states and output voltage command values, reducing dead time when conditions permit to improve accuracy, and increasing it when safety is at risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the switching element state detection unit and output voltage command value to continuously monitor and adjust the dead time, creating a closed-loop control that balances accuracy and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the dead time is extended to ensure safe switching operation, then switching reliability improves, but the response speed of the current compensation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching operation safetyVSAvoidcurrent compensation response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic dead time adjustment that adapts to operating conditions, reducing dead time during stable operations to improve response speed while extending it during critical transitions to maintain safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device periodically evaluates switching element states and adjusts dead time accordingly, creating a rhythm of adjustment that balances safety and speed requirements across different operating phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

The solution effectively reduces harmonic components in the power-source current to meet international standards, ensuring compliance with IEC61000-3-2 harmonic current emissions, while maintaining stable current control and efficient power conversion.

Implementation Method 1

the switching elements switch the direct-current voltage on and off according to the drive signal, an alternating-current output voltage is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Switching:

Implementation Method 2

a current compensation unit that supplies a compensating current to the alternating-current power source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Compensation:

Data Source

PatentEP4213371B1Power converter and heat pump system provided therewith
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4213371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4213371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4213371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Defining fsw (kHz) as the carrier frequency adopted for generation of a drive signal (Sd), Pmax (kW) as the maximum input power of a power conversion unit (10), and Td (µs) as the dead time of the drive signal (Sd), the expression Td ≤ (34.00 / fsw - 0.145)(1.55-0.055 ∗ Pmax) holds.