Patent ID: 12227080

It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the present disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure as included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particularly intended application and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present disclosure(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present disclosure(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present disclosure(s) to those exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. On the other hand, the present disclosure(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

FIG.1is a circuit diagram according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure andFIG.2is a conceptual diagram of control by a motor driving system of the present disclosure.FIG.3is a flowchart of a method of controlling a motor driving system of the present disclosure.FIG.4is a graph and table showing a torque limitation range in a dual inverter driving mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure andFIG.5is a graph and table showing a torque limitation range in a single inverter driving mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG.1is a circuit diagram according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and shows a circuit that can change a driving mode into a single inverter driving mode or a dual inverter driving mode through a transfer switching unit30.

Referring toFIG.1, a motor driving system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which is a motor driving system that supplies driving power to a motor including a plurality of windings corresponding to a plurality of phases, may include: a first inverter10including a plurality of switching devices and connected to first ends of the windings of the motor; a second inverter20including a plurality of switching devices and connected to second ends of the windings of the motor; a transfer switching unit30including a plurality of switching devices of which first ends are connected to the windings of the motor, respectively, and of which second ends are connected to each other between the first inverter10and the second inverter20; and a controller300controlling ON/OFF of the switching devices of the first inverter10, the second inverter20, and the transfer switching unit30.

The first inverter10and the second inverter20can convert the DC power stored in a battery40into3-phase AC power and provide the3-phase AC power to the motor or can convert regenerative braking energy, which is generated by regenerative braking torque which is generated by the motor in regenerative braking, into AC and provide the AC to the battery40. Conversion between DC power and AC power may be performed by pulse width modulation (PWM) of the switching devices of the first inverter10and the second inverter.

The first inverter10is connected to the first ends of the windings of the motor and the second inverter20is connected to the second ends of the windings of the motor. That is, open-end winding type electrical connection in which both ends of the windings of the motor are connected to the first inverter10and the second inverter20, respectively, may be configured.

The transfer switching unit30includes a plurality of switching devices of which first ends are connected to the windings of the motor, respectively, between the first inverter10and the second inverter20, and of which second ends are connected to each other. As an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the transfer switching unit30may include three switching devices, in which first ends of the switching devices may by connected to nodes formed between the second inverter20and the first ends of the windings corresponding to the phases of the motor, respectively, and the second ends of the switching devices may be connected to each other.

Various switching portions well-known in the art such as MOSFET, IGBT, a thyristor, and a relay may be used as the switching devices of the transfer switching unit30.

In the present circuit diagram, when the transfer switching unit30is turned off, the motor is driven in a dual inverter driving mode in which the motor is connected in an open-end winding type and both the first inverter10and the second inverter20are driven. On the other hand, when the transfer switching unit30is turned on, the motor is driven in a single inverter driving mode in which the motor is connected in Y-connection type and only the first inverter10is driven.

In more detail, when the power required for the motor is smaller than a predetermined reference value, the controller300can drive the motor by performing PWM control on the switching devices of the first inverter10without operating the second inverter20(hereafter, referred to as a ‘single inverter driving mode’). In the instant case, the controller300turns on the transfer switching unit30. Accordingly, the windings are electrically connected to each other through the transfer switching unit30, whereby Y-connection is configured and the motor is driven in the state in which only the first inverter20is driven. Because various techniques (Closed-End Winding (CES) for driving a motor by performing PWM control on one inverter are well-known in the art, a PWM control technique of an inverter which is performed in the single inverter driving mode is not described in more detail.

Meanwhile, when the output required for the motor is greater than the predetermined reference value, the controller300can drive the motor by driving both the first inverter10and the second inverter20(hereafter, referred to as a ‘dual inverter driving mode’). In the instant case, the controller300turns off the transfer switching unit30. Accordingly, the first ends of the windings of the motor are connected to the first inverter10and the second ends thereof are connected to the second inverter20. That is, in the dual inverter driving mode, the motor becomes an open-end winding motor, in which both ends of the windings are open, and the two inverters10and20are driven by PWM control. Similarly, because various techniques (Open-End Winding (OEW) for driving a motor by performing PWM control on two inverters of which both ends are connected to windings of an open-end winding motor are well-known in the art, a PWM control technique of an inverter which is performed in the dual inverter driving mode is not described in more detail.

Meanwhile, the dual inverter driving mode is a mode in which a motor is driven as an open-end winding motor, and it has been known that it is possible to set the output of inverters about √{square root over (3)}-time high, as compared with when a motor with windings connected in a Y-connection type is driven by only one inverter in the open-end winding driving. That is, when the open-end winding driving is applied, the number of turns of a motor can be increased √{square root over (3)} times, and accordingly, the current output for the same output of the motor can be reduced √{square root over (3)} times. Accordingly, the range of torque that can be output is also increased √{square root over (3)} time in the dual inverter driving mode.

FIG.2is a conceptual diagram of control by a motor driving system of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, the motor driving system may include an audio video navigation (AVN)100, a vehicle control unit (VCU) which is a control unit of a vehicle, a controller300, a gate board that transmits signal from the controller to an inverter, and inverter3-phase power modules510and530.

A controller300according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented through a nonvolatile memory configured to store algorithms for controlling operation of various components of a vehicle or data about software commands for implementing the algorithms, and a processor configured to perform operation to be described below using the data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may be individual chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor may be integrated into a single chip, and the processor may be one or more processors.

The AVN100can display information P about the driving mode of a vehicle, a breakage situation of an inverter, or the like. In detail, a driver may convert a single inverter driving mode or a dual inverter driving mode, when necessary, through the AVN100. When the controller300diagnoses breakage of the inverter and the transfer switching unit30and determines that there is breakage, the controller300can inform a driver of the breakage situation of the inverter by displaying an inverter check message.

The VCU200, which is an upper controller300of a vehicle, can control main operations of a vehicle. In detail, the VCU may determine and transmit a motor torque instruction considering available power of the battery, available motor torque, and a request from a driver (APS, BRAKE SW, SHIFT LEVER) to the controller300. In the instant case, the VCU can exchange information such as a torque instruction according to driving mode information or inverter breakage information with the controller300.

The controller300is a component that performs PWM control on the switching devices of the first inverter10, the second inverter20, and the transfer switching unit300so that the motor can be driven based on required output of the motor. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller300can determine an inverter to be used to drive the motor based on the required output of the motor, correspondingly determine ON/OFF of the transfer switching unit300, and perform PWM control on the switching devices of the determined inverter.

The controller300can determine whether the vehicle is currently driven in the single inverter driving mode (CES) or the dual inverter driving mode (OEW). This may be an inverter driving mode selected by a driver through the AVN100or may be an inverter driving mode in which the motor is driven in accordance with output required by a driver.

The controller300can diagnose breakage of the inverter and the transfer switching unit30. The controller may include a component that can apply a breakage diagnosis signal of the inverter circuit and the transfer switching unit30or a component that performs a function corresponding to this, and can perform corresponding control when breakage occurs.

The controller300can generate an instruction of an inverter driving mode (CEW or OEW) to be changed or maintained based on current inverter driving mode of the vehicle and the breakage diagnosis result. Furthermore, the controller300applies a PWM control signal to the gate board in accordance with the generated inverter driving mode instruction. For example, when the vehicle is currently driven in the single inverter driving mode and the driver makes a selection to convert into the dual inverter driving mode through the AVN100or higher output is required for the motor, the controller300can generate an instruction for converting into the dual inverter driving mode. As an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first inverter10and the second inverter20are normal but the transfer switching unit300breaks as the result of diagnosing breakage while the vehicle is driven in the single inverter driving mode, the controller300can generate an instruction for changing the driving mode of the motor into the dual inverter driving mode. This will be described below in more detail with reference toFIG.3.

The gate board400can receive a PWM control signal according to the driving mode generated by the controller300and transmit the PWM signal to the inverter3-phase power modules510and530as a gate signal R. In detail, the PWM control signal is transmitted only to the first inverter3-phase power module510in the single inverter driving mode and the PWM control signal is transmitted to both the first inverter3-phase power module510and the second inverter3-phase power module530to drive the inverters.

FIG.3is a flowchart of a method of controlling a motor driving system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, the controller300determines first whether the vehicle is currently driven in the single inverter driving mode (S100). When the vehicle is driven in the dual inverter driving mode, electricity is not applied to the transfer switching unit30, so that the possibility of breakdown of the transfer switching unit30due to an overcurrent, etc. is very small. Furthermore, when the first inverter10and the second inverter20are both normal, there may be no problem with driving of the vehicle.

When the vehicle is driven in the single inverter driving mode, breakdown diagnosis is performed on the first inverter10, the second inverter20, and the transfer switching unit30. In the instant case, the controller300, as a Micro Computer Unit (MCU), can check whether there is breakdown by continuously transmitting a breakdown diagnosis signal while the vehicle is driven.

The controller300determines whether the first inverter10and the second inverter20are normal but the transfer switching unit30is broken, as the result of performing breakdown diagnosis (S300). The breakdown may be a signal of breakdown or an error that the MCU can find out, and may not be physical breakdown of the switching devices. Accordingly, when there is breakdown, the controller300can prevent the breakdown results in physical breakdown by rapidly taking appropriate measures.

When only the transfer switching unit breaks, the controller300determines whether the transfer switching unit30is off. When the transfer switching unit30is not off, the controller300can forcibly turn off the transfer switching unit30(S500). The transfer switching unit30has a total of three switching devices of one for each phase for the topology, and when the switching device for even one phase shows a break reaction through breakdown diagnosis such as diagnosis of an overcurrent, normal CES operation cannot be achieved by only the other switching devices for two phases. Accordingly, in the instant case, the entire transfer switching unit30is turned off by forcibly turning off the other switching devices for two phases. When the entire transfer switching unit30is turned off due to breakdown, it may not be specifically forcibly turned off.

When the transfer switching unit30is turned off, the controller300converts the single inverter driving mode into the dual inverter driving mode (S600). In more detail, the controller300generates an instruction for the dual inverter driving mode and outputs and transmits a corresponding PWM control signal to the gate board400. The gate board400can transmit the received signal for the dual inverter driving mode to the first inverter10and the second inverter20.

In the instant case, the controller300applies the torque limitation range based on voltage/speed of the single inverter driving mode to the dual inverter driving mode (S700). In more detail, the controller300may set torque limitation ranges as controllable torque ranges and may apply different torque limitation ranges to the singe inverter driving mode and the dual inverter driving mode. Theoretically, in the dual inverter driving mode, a high controllable torque limit is applied in comparison to the single inverter driving mode, and accordingly, the torque limitation range is also limited to a higher value. For example, when the magnitude of output torque depends on the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal, larger power is instantaneously output in the dual inverter driving mode even though the accelerator pedal is depressed in the same amount. Accordingly, when the driving mode is converted into the dual inverter driving mode due to breakdown of the transfer switching unit30while the vehicle is driven, if the torque limitation range which is correspondingly applied is changed, the driving situation may be rapidly changed. That is, there is a high possibility of an accident if the vehicle was being driven at a high speed. Accordingly, the controller300applies the torque limitation range of the single inverter driving mode that has been applied, when converting the driving mode into the dual inverter driving mode due to a breakdown reaction of the transfer switching unit30.

As converting into the dual inverter driving mode, the controller300drives the second inverter20(S800). In more detail, the controller300drives the second inverter20by applying a PWM control signal to the second inverter20. In the instant case, as described above, as the second inverter20is driven, the motor becomes an open-end winding motor in which both ends of the windings are open, and PWM control is performed on the first inverter10and the second inverter20connected to both ends of the windings, respectively, whereby the motor is operated in the dual inverter driving mode.

Meanwhile, the controller300can display an inverter check request message to the driver (900). The present message is displayed through the AVN100and informs the driver of an inverter breakdown situation to induce the driver to rapidly have an inspection of the inverters, whereby the user may be protected.

FIG.4andFIG.5are a graph and a table showing torque limitation ranges of inverter driving modes according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

The maximum torque that the motor driving system can linearly control depends on a speed and the magnitude of a DC voltage which is applied to the inverters. Accordingly, the torque range for speed/voltage which may be applied to each inverter driving mode is limited. For example, a specific output torque instruction is input, a current instruction is formed on an iso-torque curve within the torque limitation ranges that are applied to the inverter driving modes, respectively. As an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnitudes of the iso-torque curves are T1>T2>T3>T4inFIG.4andFIG.5.

FIG.4is a graph and table showing a torque limitation range in a dual inverter driving mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.4, a torque limitation range A1in the dual inverter driving mode is shown in a current instruction graph. The torque limitation range may be shown in the torque limitation table for speed/voltage A2.

FIG.5is a graph and table showing a torque limitation range in a single inverter driving mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.5, a torque limitation range A1in the single inverter driving mode is shown in a current instruction graph. The torque limitation range may be shown in the torque limitation table for speed/voltage B2.

For example, when the magnitude of speed is w2and the magnitude of voltage V2, the output torque is T2in the dual inverter driving mode and may be shown as a point A3in the current instruction graph. However, in the single inverter driving mode, the output torque is T3and may be shown as a point B3in the current instruction graph, as shown inFIG.5. That is, even though the same speed and voltage are applied, larger torque is output in the dual inverter driving mode. Accordingly, as described above, when the driving mode is converted into the dual inverter driving mode due to breakdown of the transfer switching unit30while the vehicle is driven, and when the corresponding torque limitation range is also changed, larger torque is output and the driving situation can be rapidly changed even though the accelerator pedal is depressed in the same amount. Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the driving mode is converted into the dual inverter driving mode due to breakdown, the torque limitation range of the single inverter driving mode which has been being applied is intactly applied.

Furthermore, the term related to a control device such as “controller”, “control apparatus”, “control unit”, “control device”, “control module”, or “server”, etc refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithm structure. The memory stores algorithm steps, and the processor executes the algorithm steps to perform one or more processes of a method in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The control device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented through a nonvolatile memory configured to store algorithms for controlling operation of various components of a vehicle or data about software commands for executing the algorithms, and a processor configured to perform operation to be described above using the data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may be individual chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be integrated in a single chip. The processor may be implemented as one or more processors. The processor may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, may process data according to a program provided from the memory, and may generate a control signal according to the processing result.

The control device may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program which may include a series of commands for carrying out the method included in the aforementioned various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

The aforementioned invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which may be thereafter read by a computer system and store and execute program instructions which may be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include Hard Disk Drive (HDD), solid state disk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy discs, optical data storage devices, etc and implementation as carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet). Examples of the program instruction include machine language code such as those generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code which may be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each operation described above may be performed by a control device, and the control device may be configured by multiple control devices, or an integrated single control device.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the control device may be implemented in a form of hardware or software, or may be implemented in a combination of hardware and software.

Furthermore, the terms such as “unit”, “module”, etc. Included in the specification mean units for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “interior”, “exterior”, “internal”, “external”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be further understood that the term “connect” or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirect connection.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the present disclosure and their practical application, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.