Unit-Level Target Value Correction for Stable Plant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of plants comprising multiple units, such as hybrid systems or automobile steering systems, degrades over time due to aging and other factors, leading to inconsistent plant performance.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that includes a model controller to generate target values for each unit, a unit specifier to identify units with performance changes, and a target value corrector to adjust the target values for affected units, thereby maintaining constant plant performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compensation is performed for the entire plant, then plant performance can be maintained, but control forms of all units must be changed which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the plant into multiple independent units, each with its own model and compensation mechanism. The unit specifier identifies individual units requiring compensation, and the target value corrector adjusts only those specific units rather than the entire plant. This segmentation allows localized compensation that maintains plant performance while minimizing changes to the overall control system.
2Reliability
If model parameters are frequently adjusted to compensate for performance changes, then plant performance can be maintained, but system stability deteriorates due to excessive adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the unit specifier continuously monitors unit performance and the target value corrector adjusts model parameters only when performance deviations are detected. This feedback-based approach maintains plant performance by making adjustments only when necessary, rather than frequently adjusting parameters, thus preserving system stability while achieving compensation.
3Ease of operation
If autonomous compensation is implemented for each unit, then plant performance can be maintained with minimal control form changes, but the complexity of the control apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through autonomous compensation where the control apparatus automatically identifies units requiring compensation and adjusts their target values without external intervention. The unit specifier autonomously detects performance changes, and the target value corrector automatically modifies model parameters, enabling the system to maintain plant performance while minimizing control form changes, despite the increased apparatus complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
To keep plant performance constant in a control apparatus for controlling a plant including a plurality of units. The control apparatus (a PCM) controls an automobile including a plurality of units. The control apparatus includes a model controller that generates a target value of a characteristic to be achieved by each unit based on a model set for each unit, a unit specifier (a performance change determinator) that specifies a unit in which performance unique to the unit has changed among the units, and a target value corrector (an FF updater) that corrects the target value for the unit that has been specified by the unit specifier.