Voltage Converter Control Apparatus for Abnormality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voltage converter control systems face challenges in reliably detecting abnormal operations due to variations in voltage sensor characteristics, leading to excessively wide detection ranges and potential failure to detect abnormalities accurately.

Innovation Solution

A voltage converter control apparatus that calculates a normal duty ratio range based on output voltage command values instead of detected output voltage values, using equations and characteristic maps to determine the range, thereby isolating detection errors and ensuring accurate abnormality detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the logical detection range is calculated using error ranges of voltage sensors, then the detection range covers all possible variations, but the range becomes excessively wide and abnormality detection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection range coverageVSAvoidabnormality detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the output voltage command value (a theoretical reference value) from the detection system and uses it to calculate the normal duty ratio range, separating the abnormality detection mechanism from the voltage sensor detection process. This eliminates the influence of sensor characteristics and error ranges on the detection range width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a copy of the output voltage command value (which represents the expected normal output voltage) instead of the actual detected output voltage value. This copy is used to calculate the normal duty ratio range, ensuring that the detection range is determined by system parameters rather than sensor measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the logical detection range is set to accommodate sensor variations, then all sensor characteristics are covered, but the ability to detect actual abnormalities is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor characteristic coverageVSAvoidabnormality detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the detection criterion from the sensor measurement domain and places it in the control command domain. By using the output voltage command value to define the normal duty ratio range, the system establishes a precise reference that is independent of sensor characteristics, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of determining the detection range from the detected output voltage value (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by determining the detection range from the output voltage command value. This inversion allows the detection range to be defined by the expected normal operation parameters rather than by actual measurements, eliminating sensor-related precision losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If detected output voltage values are used to determine the normal duty ratio range, then real-time operating conditions are reflected, but sensor detection errors directly affect the detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time condition reflectionVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces the output voltage command value as an intermediary between the control system and the abnormality detection mechanism. This intermediary serves as a theoretical reference that mediates the comparison process, allowing real-time condition monitoring while eliminating the direct influence of sensor detection errors on the detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables reliable detection of voltage converter abnormalities by minimizing the impact of voltage sensor errors, ensuring consistent and accurate operation even with varying sensor characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage converter having an inductor connected between the battery and a voltage step-up section, the voltage step-up section being based on switching elements which perform on/off switching for alternately storing and discharging electrical energy by the inductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage and discharge in inductor: Inductor

Data Source

PatentUS10547239B2Voltage converter control apparatus configured to determine a normal duty ratio range based on a command value for the output voltage

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A voltage converter control apparatus controls repetitive switching operations of a voltage converter, for conversion between a terminal voltage of a battery as an input-side voltage and a terminal voltage of a power inverter as an output-side voltage, by determining a command value of duty ratio of the switching in accordance with a command value of the output-side voltage. The voltage converter control apparatus sets a normal duty ratio range defining limit values of the duty ratio for normal operation of the voltage converter, with the limit values being determined based upon information including the command value of the output-side voltage.