Single-Shunt Motor Current Measurement Without PWM Voltage Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional single-shunt current measurement techniques for three-phase motor controllers face challenges in forming current measurement windows without distorting phase voltage, leading to insufficient measurement duration and subsequent voltage distortion, which affects motor control accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adjusting the duration of current measurement windows within a pulse width modulation (PWM) period by a time delta value to ensure a minimum time for accurate motor current measurement, allowing for measurement of only two phases during the first PWM period and compensating in subsequent periods to maintain motor control accuracy without voltage distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current measurement windows are extended to ensure accurate motor current measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but phase voltage distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor current measurement accuracyVSAvoidphase voltage distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal current measurement window durations in lookup tables during system initialization or calibration phases. These pre-determined values represent the maximum measurement duration achievable without causing voltage distortion under various operating conditions. During real-time motor control, the controller directly retrieves these pre-computed values based on current operating parameters, eliminating the need for real-time optimization calculations and ensuring measurement windows never exceed distortion-free limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts current measurement window duration as a variable parameter based on real-time motor operating conditions such as speed, load, and PWM duty cycle. By changing the measurement window duration parameter adaptively rather than using fixed values, the system optimizes measurement accuracy for each operating point while staying within distortion-free boundaries. The controller selects from multiple pre-calculated duration values corresponding to different operating ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If current measurement windows are shortened to avoid phase voltage distortion, then voltage distortion is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase voltage distortionVSAvoidmotor current measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal current measurement window durations in lookup tables during system initialization or calibration phases. These pre-determined values represent the maximum measurement duration achievable without causing voltage distortion under various operating conditions. During real-time motor control, the controller directly retrieves these pre-computed values based on current operating parameters, eliminating the need for real-time optimization calculations and ensuring measurement windows never exceed distortion-free limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts current measurement window duration as a variable parameter based on real-time motor operating conditions such as speed, load, and PWM duty cycle. By changing the measurement window duration parameter adaptively rather than using fixed values, the system optimizes measurement accuracy for each operating point while staying within distortion-free boundaries. The controller selects from multiple pre-calculated duration values corresponding to different operating ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If measurement time is increased to improve current measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but control response time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor current measurement accuracyVSAvoidcontrol response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal current measurement window durations in lookup tables during system initialization or calibration phases. These pre-determined values represent the maximum measurement duration achievable without causing voltage distortion under various operating conditions. During real-time motor control, the controller directly retrieves these pre-computed values based on current operating parameters, eliminating the need for real-time optimization calculations and ensuring measurement windows never exceed distortion-free limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts current measurement window duration as a variable parameter based on real-time motor operating conditions such as speed, load, and PWM duty cycle. By changing the measurement window duration parameter adaptively rather than using fixed values, the system optimizes measurement accuracy for each operating point while staying within distortion-free boundaries. The controller selects from multiple pre-calculated duration values corresponding to different operating ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4422065A1Three-phase motor current measurement
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLC
  • EP4422065A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4422065A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4422065A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for controlling a three-phase electric motor by determining a duration of current measurement windows within a first pulse width modulation period for measuring motor current using a single shunt coupled to the motor. A duration of a first one of the current measurement windows can be adjusted by a time delta value to meet a minimum time to measure the motor current. A next PWM period can include compensation for the time delta value. In embodiments window adjustments are made by modifying the high state of a middle phase signal for phase signals to switches that energize the motor.