Power Converter Main Circuit Fault Analysis Without Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converter systems face challenges in accurately assessing the soundness of the main circuit without disassembling and reassembling the components, which hinders effective failure analysis.
Innovation Solution
A power converter system incorporating a main circuit with switching devices, an electrification control unit, and an analysis unit that converts direct-current power to multiphase alternating-current power and analyzes the soundness using load current, phase voltage, and device short circuit current data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each device is examined alone, then device-level soundness can be checked, but disassembly and reassembly are necessary making main circuit soundness check complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the main circuit into individual switching devices (Q1-Q6) and examines each device's soundness separately by detecting device short circuit currents specific to each switching device. This allows precise device-level diagnosis while avoiding physical disassembly, as the segmentation is achieved through electrical isolation and targeted current detection paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces device short circuit current detection circuits as intermediary components that directly measure the health status of each switching device. These detection circuits act as mediators between the switching devices and the control unit, providing accurate device-level soundness information without requiring disassembly or reassembly of the main circuit.
2Measurement precision
If disassembly and reassembly are performed to examine each device, then individual device soundness can be checked, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary soundness checks by continuously monitoring device short circuit currents during normal operation and performing diagnostic electrification tests when needed. The electrification control unit can activate specific switching devices for predetermined periods to detect short circuit currents before failures occur, enabling proactive maintenance without time-consuming disassembly and reassembly operations.
3Ease of operation
If main circuit soundness is checked without disassembly, then check simplicity is improved, but detection accuracy may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by detecting device short circuit currents specific to each switching device location and function within the main circuit. Each switching device has its own dedicated detection path that measures local electrical characteristics, enabling accurate localized diagnosis while maintaining overall system integrity and avoiding disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit receives detection results from device short circuit current detectors and uses this information to determine main circuit soundness. The control unit can issue commands to electrify specific switching devices based on initial detection results, creating a feedback loop that progressively refines the diagnosis and achieves accurate soundness assessment without disassembly.
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
This solution enables more accurate detection of the main circuit's soundness, allowing for effective failure analysis and continuous operation of the power converter system.
Implementation Method 1
converts direct-current power into multiphase alternating-current power through switching of the plurality of switching devices
Implementation Method 2
outputs a detection result of a device short circuit current flowing in each of the plurality of switching devices
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a power converter (1) includes a main circuit (10), an electrification control unit (25), and an analysis unit (24). The main circuit includes a plurality of switching devices (Q1 to Q4), converts direct-current power into multiphase alternating-current power through switching of the plurality of switching devices, is able to supply the multiphase alternating-current power to an alternating-current load (2) connected to an output side, and output a detection result of a device short circuit current flowing in each of the plurality of switching devices. The electrification control unit electrifies the plurality of switching devices for a predetermined time based on one of a plurality of pre-decided analysis test electrification patterns. The analysis unit analyzes soundness of the main circuit using a load current flowing from the main circuit to the alternating-current load, a phase voltage output by the main circuit, and data at the time of electrification for the predetermined time with regard to the device short circuit current flowing in each of the plurality of switching devices.