Circuit assembly for a rectifier, electric machine and method for operating an electric machine
Technical Field
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for a rectifier of an electrical machine, to a rectifier, to an electrical machine and to a method for operating an electrical machine.
Background
Electrical machines, such as those used in vehicles or motor vehicles, can be operated by means of a rectifier (also referred to as an inverter), specifically usually both as a generator and as a motor. Such rectifiers for this purpose often have a power half-bridge for each phase of the electrical machine, which has a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch (both of which are, for example, MOSFETs or IGBTs) in order to be able to energize the phase windings accordingly. Separately excited machines also have the possibility of energizing the rotor windings or the field windings.
Furthermore, such rectifiers usually have a so-called cut-off line, which makes it possible to short-circuit all phases with respect to ground or with respect to the supply voltage. This is also referred to as active phase shorting. Thus, when the disconnection line is activated, for example in the event of a fault, the electric machine no longer generates torque and no more electrical energy is output to the vehicle electrical system. Will be in a safe state.
Another possibility in the safe state is to reduce the excitation current for the case of separately excited electrical machines. However, this practice requires significantly more time-in order to eliminate the excitation field-which is in many cases unacceptable for safety reasons.
Disclosure of Invention
According to the invention, a circuit arrangement for a rectifier, an electrical machine and a method for operating an electrical machine are proposed, having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the subsequent description.
The invention is based on a circuit arrangement for a rectifier, having a power half-bridge with a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch, and having a drive unit, which is designed to switch at least one first power switch, selected from the high-side power switch and the low-side power switch (i.e. the high-side power switch or the low-side power switch or both), on and off, i.e. to switch on and off. The power switches may be, for example, MOSFETs or IGBTs, and the drive units are correspondingly gate drivers.
Furthermore, as already mentioned in the opening paragraph, the circuit arrangement has a disconnection line and a supply line, which are designed such that, when the disconnection line is activated, a supply voltage is applied via the supply line to a control terminal (for example a gate terminal) of a first power switch (i.e. a high-side or a low-side power switch, depending on which power switch is controlled by the drive unit; if two power switches are controlled, one of the power switches) such that the first power switch is switched on.
It is advantageous here if the drive unit is connected to the control terminal of the first circuit breaker, wherein the disconnection line is designed such that, when it is activated, the drive unit is disconnected from the control terminal of the first circuit breaker. The disconnection line can be designed such that it is activated by changing the voltage level applied to it. It is also common in this case, that when the drive unit is switched off or switched off, the other power switch is first switched off or switched off before the relevant power switch is switched on. A separate suitable circuit may be provided for this purpose.
It should be mentioned here that the disconnection line can also be a circuit component which, when a certain voltage level is applied at a point of the disconnection circuit, leads to the first power switch being switched on. In this connection, it is also possible to assign the supply line to a cut line, but this is not essential for the mode of operation.
By means of such a disconnection of the line, the associated power switch can thus be rendered conductive when required or in the event of a fault. It goes without saying that for an electrical machine, a power half-bridge is provided for each phase in the circuit assembly or in the rectifier, i.e. three power half-bridges are provided in the case of a three-phase electrical machine. In this case, a separate drive unit, respectively also a disconnection line and a supply line, can be provided for each power half-bridge.
However, it is also advantageous if a plurality of or all power switches (and thus individual control lines, respectively) are controlled, for example, by means of a drive unit, so that the disconnection lines and supply lines can also branch off to these power switches, so that ultimately all high-side power switches or all low-side power switches can be switched on simultaneously in order to cause the active phase short circuit mentioned at the outset.
Although, in this way, an active phase short can basically be caused when needed or in the event of a fault, faults still occur, for example, a break or a short circuit to ground can occur in the supply lines or the supply voltage can fail. This results in that the associated power switch cannot conduct (no longer conducts) despite the activation of the disconnection line.
Against this background, it is now proposed within the scope of the invention that the circuit arrangement also has redundant supply lines which are designed such that, when the disconnection line is activated, a supply voltage can also be applied to the control terminal of the first circuit breaker, so that the circuit breaker is switched on.
If, for example, an interruption or a short circuit to ground occurs in the (main) supply line, the required supply voltage is nevertheless applied to the control terminal of the first circuit breaker via the redundant supply line in order to finally cause the desired active phase short circuit.
For example, different supply voltages can be used for the (main) supply line and the redundant supply line, which supply voltages are then each also applied to the control terminal of the first power switch. The different supply voltages are then, for example, different tapping points within the circuit arrangement, for example also with different voltage levels, or also different connection pins on the rectifier.
In principle, however, it is also possible to use the same supply voltage for the (main) supply line and the redundant supply lines, i.e. for example the same tap point in the circuit arrangement. The required redundancy is achieved by separately extending the supply lines.
It is also advantageous if the redundant supply lines are designed such that the supply voltage can also be applied actively, in particular by means of switches (for example MOSFETs or other transistors) on the redundant supply lines, to the control terminals of the first power switches. For example, a microcontroller can be provided which is designed to actively apply a supply voltage to the control terminal of the first circuit breaker, in particular by means of a switch. This makes it possible to switch on redundant supply lines only when needed.
Alternatively, it is also preferred that the redundant supply lines are designed such that the supply voltage is also permanently connected to the control terminal of the first power switch. Diodes or so-called flyback inverters (or flyback converters) can then be used in order to avoid undesirable compensation currents.
In accordance with some embodiments, the redundant supply lines and the (main) supply lines are of identical design, and instead of these, it is also particularly preferred if the circuit arrangement has an electrical energy store, such as a capacitor, which is arranged on the redundant supply lines.
The charging of the energy store can take place, for example, by a supply line. This causes the electrical energy store to be charged by the supply voltage applied to the supply line during normal operation of the circuit arrangement. As long as there is no interruption on the supply line, the supply voltage can be applied to the control terminal of the first circuit breaker by activating the disconnection line in the manner described above, so that the circuit breaker is rendered conductive. However, if an interruption occurs in the supply line or the supply voltage is defective, the (subsequently charged) electrical energy store assumes the function of the supply voltage and, when the line is disconnected, causes the supply voltage (i.e. the energy store from the electricity) to be applied to the control terminal of the first circuit breaker, so that the circuit breaker is switched on.
With this solution, an active phase short can thus also be caused in the event of a power supply line interruption or in the event of a fault in the (real) supply voltage. It goes without saying that the first power switch can only be switched on for a limited time due to the limited capacity of the electrical energy store. However, by suitable dimensioning, it is possible to maintain the active phase short circuit at least for some time until, in the case of an electrically separately excited machine, the excitation current has (sufficiently) been eliminated. But requires fewer additional components in the circuit assembly than the previous solution.
The subject matter of the invention is also a rectifier with a circuit arrangement according to the invention, to be precise in particular with a power half-bridge for each phase of the electrical machine to be controlled, as described above.
The invention also relates to an electric machine having a rotor and a stator and a rectifier according to the invention. Accordingly, the stator then has phase windings. It is also preferred that the electric machine is designed as a separately excited electric machine.
The invention also relates to a method for operating an electrical machine according to the invention, wherein a phase short circuit is actively induced in the event of a fault by activating a disconnection line.
With regard to the rectifier, the electrical machine and the further advantages and preferred embodiments of the method, reference is made to the above description, which applies accordingly, to avoid repetitions.
Other advantages and designs of the invention will become apparent from the description and drawings.
Drawings
The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawings by means of embodiments and will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 schematically shows an electrical machine according to the invention in a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a rectifier in a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a circuit assembly not in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit assembly according to the present invention in a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 shows a circuit assembly according to the present invention in another preferred embodiment;
fig. 6 shows a circuit arrangement according to the invention in a further preferred embodiment.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1 shows a schematic, rough illustration of an electrical machine 100 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment, which also has a rectifier 150 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.
The electrical machine 100, which can be used in particular in motor-type and generator-type operation, particularly preferably also in so-called boost recovery systems (i.e. for energy recovery and drive assistance), has a rotor or rotor 110, which has, for example, rotor or field windings 111 for generating a magnetic field or permanent magnets. Accordingly, stator plate or stator 120 is also shown, which has a stator winding or phase winding 121, which is only schematically shown here.
Fig. 2 schematically shows a rectifier 150 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment, which can also be used, for example, for the electrical machine 100 according to fig. 1.
The rectifier 150 has, for example, three power half bridges 160, which are provided for three phases U, V, W of the electrical machine and can be connected accordingly. Each of the three power half-bridges has a high-side power switch 161 and a low-side power switch 162, which are designed here as MOSFETs and for which the gate connection or the control connection is designated by G, the drain connection by D and the source connection by S, respectively.
Furthermore, a control unit 210 designed as a gate driver is shown schematically and a disconnection line 220 is shown, wherein the gate connections or control connections G of the high-side power switch 161 and the low-side power switch 162 of at least one power half bridge 160 can be controlled by means of the control unit 210 so that these connections can be switched on and off in a targeted manner. By disconnecting the line, the control unit may be deactivated and, for example, the low side power switch 162 may be turned on to actively cause a phase short.
The control unit 210 and the switch-off line 220 here form part of a circuit arrangement 300, which in a preferred embodiment can be a circuit arrangement according to the invention, exemplarily together with one of the power half bridges 160. For a more detailed illustration and description, in particular in respect of redundant supply lines which are also not explicitly shown in fig. 2, reference is made to the following figures and the associated description for this purpose.
Fig. 3 schematically shows a circuit arrangement 200 not according to the invention, but with the aid of which the main structure and the main mode of operation of a circuit arrangement, such as is also essential for the invention, are described.
As in fig. 2, a high-side power switch 161 and a low-side power switch 162 and a control unit 210 are also shown here, wherein here only the low-side power switch 162 is exemplarily controlled, i.e. switched on and off, for which purpose its gate connection or control connection G is connected to the control unit 210 via a control line 211 and a switch 222. Switching by changing the potential at G, when the gate-source voltage U isGSAbove the threshold voltage, the switch 162 is currently conducting. As long as the switch 222 is turned on, the switch 162 performs the specification of the control unit 210.
The disconnection line 220 now has a switch 221, for example a MOSFET, which is normally designed to be off at present and is only switched on when a negative gate-source voltage is applied. Thus, the supply voltage V is present under normal conditions2Which can be supplied with a vehicle electrical system voltage V, for example 48V, by means of a DC-DC or DC voltage converter1And for example 15V, on the gate connection or driver connection of the switch 222, so that the switch is conducting.
If the disconnect line is now activated by applying a negative gate-source voltage across switch 221, switch 221 is switched on or closed, thereby grounding the supply voltage applied across the gate or control terminal of switch 222. This switches off or opens the switch 222, so that the control of the low-side power switch 161 by means of the control unit 210 is no longer possible.
In particular, the supply voltage V2The gate connection or control connection of the low-side power switch 162 is now applied via the supply line 240, which switches the switch into conduction. This makes it possible to cause an active phase short-circuit by activating the disconnection line 220 — when the remaining low-side power switches are controlled accordingly (see fig. 2 for this purpose).
The (electrical) impedances R1, R2 and R3 may have values of 5k ohms, 50k ohms and 200 ohms, for example, in order to achieve the desired functionality of the circuit assembly 200. It goes without saying that this is purely exemplary and that other combinations may also be usedAn appropriate value. The same applies here for the voltage magnitude V1And V2。
However, for the illustrated circuit assembly 200, at the supply voltage V2In the event of a fault, or in the event of a break or short circuit in the supply line 240, the low side power switch 162 is no longer conducting.
In fig. 4, a circuit arrangement 300 according to the invention is now shown in a preferred embodiment. The basic structure corresponds here to the circuit arrangement 200 according to fig. 3, so that reference is made to the description there. Like components are labeled with like reference numerals.
In addition to the diode 241 on the supply line 240, a redundant supply line 250 is provided, which has a diode 251 arranged thereon and with which a supply voltage V of, for example, 12V can be supplied3To the gate terminal or control terminal of the low side power switch 162 to render the low side power switch 162 conductive when the disconnect line 220 is activated. The redundant power supply lines 250 are thus designed identically to the (primary) power supply lines 240.
At a supply voltage V2In the event of a fault, or in the event of a break or short circuit in the supply line 240, the low-side power switch 162 may continue to conduct. The diodes 241, 251 prevent unwanted compensation currents.
In fig. 5, a circuit arrangement 400 according to the invention is shown in a further preferred embodiment. The basic structure corresponds here to the circuit arrangement 300 according to fig. 4, so that reference is made to the description there. Like components are labeled with like reference numerals.
Here, however, a PMIC ("Power Management Integrated Circuit") 215 and a microcontroller 216 for controlling the drive unit 210 are also shown. Furthermore, for example, not only the low-side power switch 162 but also the high-side power switch 161 can be controlled thereby. The cutting line 220 and the (main) power supply line 240 are shown collectively here, so that only the function is shown, but no specific wiring is shown. Preferably, in a fault condition, the low side power switch 162 is closed after the high side power switch 161 is opened in time.
In addition, a switch 252, for example a MOSFET, is provided on the redundant supply line 250, which can be closed by the microcontroller 216 if required, for example if a fault is detected on the (main) supply line 240, so that the supply voltage V can then be set3To the gate terminal or control terminal of the low side power switch 162.
The redundant supply lines 250 can alternatively be switched using diodes or so-called flyback inverters, permanent connections also being conceivable.
In fig. 6, a circuit arrangement 500 according to the invention is shown in a further preferred embodiment. The basic structure corresponds here to the circuit arrangement 300 according to fig. 4, so that reference is made to the description there. Like components are labeled with like reference numerals.
Here, however, the redundant supply line 250' is not designed identically to the (main) supply line 240, but rather an electrical energy store C designed as a capacitor is provided, which is arranged on the redundant supply line 250' in a region in which the redundant supply line 250' runs separately from the supply line 240. The capacitor C is then connected to the supply line 240 via a part of the redundant supply line 250' and also to the supply voltage V applied thereto2And (4) connecting. In other words, the capacitor C is connected to the power supply line 240 and to the power supply voltage V applied thereto2Connected to the gate-source line of the low-side power switch 162 (here also to the impedance R)3) Wired or arranged in parallel.
In normal operation, the capacitor C is first of all determined by means of the supply voltage V2Is charged. But at the supply voltage V2In case of a fault, or in case of a break or a short circuit of the supply line 240, the capacitor then provides a voltage or supply voltage, thereby causing the low-side power switch 162 to remain conductive, in any case for a period of time. The diode 241 prevents the capacitor C from discharging into the power supply line 240.
It goes without saying that in the embodiment according to fig. 4, there may be redundant supply lines 250' with capacitors C, and there may also be additional redundant disconnection lines.