Model Predictive Control With Fast Disturbance Estimation Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing model predictive control systems face delays in disturbance estimation, leading to a decline in the disturbance suppression function, which affects the practicality and efficiency of the control process.

Innovation Solution

A control system with separate processors for model predictive control and disturbance estimation, operating in different cycles, allowing for independent output cycles that are shorter than the model predictive control cycle, thereby reducing delays and enhancing the disturbance suppression function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the model predictive control and disturbance estimation are performed by the same processor in synchronized cycles, then the device complexity is reduced, but the disturbance suppression function deteriorates due to calculation delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessor configurationVSAvoiddisturbance suppression function
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into separate processors: a first processor dedicated to model predictive control and a second processor dedicated to disturbance estimation. This segmentation allows each processor to operate independently with optimized calculation cycles, preventing the disturbance estimation from being delayed by the heavier model predictive control calculations, thus maintaining reliable disturbance suppression while managing device complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the disturbance estimator operates in a longer control cycle synchronized with model predictive control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity of disturbance suppression deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol cycle synchronizationVSAvoiddisturbance suppression speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control cycles where the second processor (disturbance estimator) operates in a shorter control cycle than the first processor (model predictive control). This dynamic configuration allows the disturbance estimation to execute more frequently and independently, improving the productivity and responsiveness of disturbance suppression without requiring complex synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the model predictive control calculation amount is larger than disturbance estimation, then the control precision is improved, but the loss of time occurs due to processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidprocessing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing tasks into two independent processors: the first processor handles computationally intensive model predictive control to maintain high control precision, while the second processor handles disturbance estimation with faster execution. This segmentation eliminates the time loss that would occur if disturbance estimation had to wait for model predictive control calculations to complete, as both processors operate in parallel with independent timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4664210A1Control system, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4664210A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4664210A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4664210A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a technique for improving practicality in terms of a model predictive control function and a disturbance suppression function. A disturbance estimator (2) estimates, based on a first manipulative variable and a controlled variable, a disturbance for a control target (Ob1) which outputs a controlled variable according to the first manipulative variable, and outputs an estimation signal including an amount of disturbance. A model predictive controller (3) calculates a second manipulative variable based on the controlled variable to output a control signal including the second manipulative variable. A modifier (4) modifies the second manipulative variable by reference to modification information based on the amount of disturbance and thereby provides the output signal including the first manipulative variable as the second manipulative variable thus modified. The model predictive controller (3) includes one or more first processors. The disturbance estimator (2) includes one or more second processors. The model predictive controller (3) outputs the control signal in a first output cycle. The disturbance estimator (2) outputs the estimation signal in a second output cycle. The modifier (4) provides the output signal in a third output cycle. The second output cycle and the third output cycle are both shorter than the first output cycle.