Sensorless Motor Positioning via Rotor Flux Current Command

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the position of an electrical machine's drive, especially at low speeds and loads, suffer from large errors due to the current-space vector measurements fluctuating around zero, affecting speed calculations and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A current command is added in the direction of the rotor flux or field within the stator to maintain a sufficient current flow, allowing precise determination of the current-space vector direction and angle, even at low speeds and loads, using a device with two independent channels for position monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If sensorless position determination is used at low speeds and loads, then the system can operate without additional sensors, but the current-space vector amplitude becomes around 0 causing large measurement errors in position and speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensorless operationVSAvoidposition and speed measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

An additional current command is applied in advance in the direction of the rotor flux or rotor field to ensure sufficient current flow before position determination is performed. This preliminary current application prevents the current-space vector from collapsing to zero, thereby maintaining measurement precision during sensorless operation at low speeds and loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If additional current command is applied in the direction of rotor flux, then the current-space vector direction can be determined precisely at low speeds, but the system complexity increases due to additional control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent-space vector direction accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional current command in the rotor flux direction serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains sufficient current-space vector amplitude for accurate position determination, provides field weakening capability, and supports operation across various load conditions. This multi-functionality approach increases measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach enhances measurement accuracy and reliability by ensuring a stable current flow, reducing errors in position and speed calculations, and enabling safe operation across various load conditions.

Implementation Method 1

measuring the three-phase current of the machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical current measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

converting the measured values of this three-phase current to a current-space vector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoordinate transformation:

Implementation Method 3

servomotor with permanent magnet generation of the rotor magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2304508B1Method for determining the position of the drive of an electric machine such as a motor from the applied current and device for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2014.02.26 KOLLMORGEN EURO
  • EP2304508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2304508B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the position of the drive of an electric machine (10) such as a motor from the applied current (30, 32, 34), wherein for a secure operation, the position determination of the drive is carried out on two independent paths or channels and subsequently both the measured values are combined and cross-checked for secure mode of operation such as maintaining a safe speed or safe position for the drive, comprising the following method steps: determining the position of the drive in both current channels by measuring the three-phase current to the machine, then converting the measured values for the three-phase current to give a current-space vector, calculating the angle of the current-space vector within an electrical revolution and determining the position of the drive (rotor). According to the invention, a current command, whose field acts in the direction of the rotor flow or rotor field is added within the stator (in the direction of the field weakening) which results in a increase in precision of measurement.