Induction Motor Current Control for Train Wheel Diameter Mismatch

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Solution Overview

Problem

In induction motor type electric trains, overcurrent leads to overheating of induction motors, particularly in high-speed operations, due to differences in wheel diameters driven by plural induction motors supplied from a single power converter, posing safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A control method that limits the current supplied to each induction motor based on the wheel diameter difference, using a correction coefficient to adjust the current command value, ensuring that the highest current value is not exceeded, thereby preventing overheat by maintaining current within safe limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single power converter supplies electricity to multiple induction motors, then device complexity is reduced, but overcurrent occurs in some motors causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower converter configurationVSAvoidovercurrent and overheating
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by detecting rotational frequencies individually for each induction motor and calculating specific slip frequency correction values tailored to each motor's characteristics. This per-motor customization ensures that each motor receives appropriately adjusted frequency control, preventing overcurrent in motors with varying wheel diameters while maintaining the benefit of a single power converter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If rotational frequency is used for current control, then control simplicity is maintained, but re-adhesion performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol methodVSAvoidre-adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from direct rotational frequency to slip frequency with correction values. By calculating correction values based on the difference between detected rotational frequency and ideal rotational frequency, the system optimizes both re-adhesion performance and control simplicity, achieving reliable traction while maintaining manageable control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If average rotational frequency is used for all motors, then control uniformity is achieved, but individual motor overcurrent cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol uniformityVSAvoidovercurrent in individual motors
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by detecting and processing rotational frequency data individually for each induction motor. Each motor receives a customized slip frequency correction value calculated from its specific rotational frequency characteristics, enabling differentiated control that prevents overcurrent in individual motors while maintaining overall system coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively prevents overcurrent and subsequent overheating of induction motors, enhancing safety by ensuring balanced current distribution across all induction motors, even in high-speed operations with varying wheel diameters.

Implementation Method 1

a maximum value of the rotational frequencies of the plural induction motors is used as the rotor frequency, the rotational frequency of the slip axis of a slip that occurs during powering is used for current control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The plural-induction motor type electric train runs, based on the power that is acquired when these plural induction motors are driven

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2843826B1Method and apparatus for controlling induction motor of train
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2843826B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843826B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843826B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An induction motor type electric train and a control method for the same are proposed in which overcurrent to induction motors is restrained and therefore overheat of the induction motors due to overcurrent can be prevented effectively. An induction motor current command value that is a target value of output current of a power converter is generated. The power converter is controlled in such a way that the output current of the power converter follows the induction motor current command value, while a magnitude of the induction motor current command value is limited in such a way that overcurrent to the induction motors due to a wheel diameter difference between respective wheels driven by the respective induction motors is restrained, based on a rotational frequency of each induction motor.