JP2009153348A - Power supply for electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size and weight of a power supply for electric vehicle for supplying power to a lighting or an air conditioner of an electric vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The power supply for electric vehicle 1 is provided with: first to third inverter phases 4a to 4c for converting DC into three-phase AC; a control part 15 for generating a gate signal for the three-phase inverter to the first to third inverter phases 4a to 4c; a transformer 6 for converting the three-phase output voltage of the first to third inverter phases 4a to 4c into the voltage of an arbitrary value and supplying load in the electric vehicle with power; a waiting phase inverter 4d for converting the DC into a single-phase AC; a fault detection means 38 for detecting fault in the phase unit of the first to third inverter phases 4a to 4c; and a switching means for switching the inverter phase whose fault is detected by the fault detection means 38 to the waiting phase inverter to continue operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric vehicle power supply device that receives electric power from an overhead wire and supplies electric power to an illumination of an electric vehicle, an air conditioner, or the like.

Generally, a power supply device for an electric vehicle acquires the presence / absence of an overhead line voltage with a voltage detector, and starts operation when a voltage is applied. In such a power supply device for electric vehicles, in order to have a redundant system, two or more power supply devices may be mounted in one formation. For example, in a train of 10 cars, such a power supply device is mounted on two vehicles, and usually one power supply is used, and when the power supply abnormality occurs, the other power supply may be used. is there. Alternatively, two or more three-phase inverters may be provided in one power supply device. As an example, a power supply device for an electric vehicle is disclosed in which one or a plurality of three-phase inverters, if not all, are put on standby and switched to a three-phase inverter that is on standby when a failure occurs. (Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-287129 A

  The electric vehicle power supply device described above has a problem that the size of the device increases and the weight increases because two or more three-phase inverters are on standby in the power supply device.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the size and weight of a power supply device for an electric vehicle.

  Inverter units that are likely to cause failure are likely to fail only in one phase of the inverter unit, so it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the device by allowing only one phase of the inverter unit to stand by. It becomes.

  An electric vehicle power supply device according to the present invention includes first to third inverter phases that convert direct current into three-phase alternating current, and a control that generates a gate signal for a three-phase inverter for the first to third inverter phases. A transformer for converting the three-phase output voltage of the first to third inverter phases into a voltage of an arbitrary value and supplying power to a load in the train, and a standby phase inverter for converting the direct current to a single-phase alternating current Failure detection means for detecting a failure in units of the first to third inverter phases, and switching means for switching the inverter phase detected by the failure detection circuit to the standby phase inverter and continuing the operation. It comprises.

  The electric vehicle power supply device can be reduced in size and weight.

  Embodiments of an electric vehicle power supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the circuit configuration of the first embodiment of the electric vehicle power supply device 1 according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a voltage of, for example, DC 1500 V from an overhead line 31 is supplied to a plurality of inverter phases (phase unit inverters) 4a to 4 through a pantograph 32, a contactor 2 of the power supply device 1, an initial charging circuit 3, and a plurality of switching contacts 7a to 7d. 4d. The initial charging circuit 3 suppresses an inrush current to the filter capacitor 36 when the power is turned on. Each inverter phase 4a to 4d includes a switching circuit composed of power semiconductor elements such as a self-extinguishing element (GTO thyristor, IGBT, etc.) 34 and a diode 35, and a filter capacitor 35 provided on the input side.

  Outputs of the inverter phases 4 a to 4 d are connected to the insulating transformer 6 through a plurality of switching contacts 8 a to 8 d (8 d 1 to 8 d 3) and an AC filter 5. The AC filter 5 shapes the waveform of the output of each inverter phase into a sine wave. The output voltage of the insulation transformer 6 is supplied to a load such as a lighting device or an air conditioner provided in the train. The insulating transformer 6 converts the three-phase output voltage of the AC filter 5 into a three-phase voltage having an arbitrary value, and insulates the inverter phases 4a to 4d and the load in a DC manner. The GND of the power supply device 1 is connected to the wheels 34.

  In FIG. 2, inverter phases 4a to 4d correspond to 4a to 4d in FIG. The control unit 15 includes standby circuit switching logic 14 and phase gate signal output circuits 9a to 9d. Inverter phases 4a-4d include gate amplifier circuits 10a-10d.

  The control unit 15 includes a circuit (not shown) that generates a three-phase PWM gate signal (5 V / 0 V amplitude) for the inverter unit. The control unit 15 includes a microcomputer (not shown), a memory, an A / D converter for A / D converting analog signals from various sensors, and a power source in order to generate the gate signal. The standby circuit switching logic 14 outputs gate output commands 13a to 13d and phase switching contact input signals 16a to 16f based on the input gate abnormality signals 12a to 12d.

  The phase gate signal output circuit 9 (9a, 9b, 9d) converts the gate signal generated by the controller 15 in accordance with the gate output command 13 (13a, 13b, 13d) to the gate signal command 11 (11a, 11a, 11b, 11d) and output. The gate amplifier circuit 10 (10a, 10b, 10d) converts the gate signal command 11 into a gate signal having an amplitude of + 15V / −15V and supplies it to the gate of the inverter phase 4. Each gate amplifier circuit 10 includes a failure detection unit 38 that detects a failure of a power semiconductor element (hereinafter referred to as a switching element) that constitutes a switching circuit of each inverter phase. When the failure of the switching element is detected, the failure detector 38 outputs the gate abnormality signal 12 (12a to 12d). For example, when the logic of the input / output signals of the gate amplifier circuit 10 does not match each other, the failure detection unit 38 outputs the gate abnormality signal 12.

  When, for example, the self-extinguishing element 34 of the inverter phase 4 fails, its gate voltage generally becomes a voltage around 0V. When the output voltage (gate voltage of the inverter phase) of the gate amplifier circuit 10 is 0V, the failure detection unit 38 has a failure in the inverter phase even though the input gate signal command 11 is + 15V. The gate abnormality signal 12 (for example, a high level signal) is output. In FIG. 2, for simplicity of explanation, one circuit 36 including the phase gate signal output circuit 9 and the gate amplifier circuit 10 is shown for each inverter phase, but actually two switching circuits for the inverter phase are shown. For each, a circuit 36 is provided. That is, two circuits 36 are provided for each inverter phase.

(Function)
Inverter U phase 4a, inverter V phase 4b, and inverter W phase 4c normally operate as a three-phase inverter. At this time, the phase switching contacts 7a to 7c and 8a to 8c are all closed, and the phase switching contacts 7d and 8d provided before and after the standby phase inverter 4d are open.

  When a failure occurs in any of the inverter phases 4a to 4c, the phase switching contacts 7 and 8 of the phase in which the failure has occurred are opened, the switching contact 7d of the standby phase 4d is closed, and the phase in which the failure has occurred The switching contact 8d (one of 8d1 to 8d3) to be closed is closed. At this time, the standby phase inverter 4d performs a switching operation at the same timing as the opened (failed) inverter phase, thereby configuring a normal three-phase inverter.

  A specific example will be described below.

  For example, if the switching element is broken in the inverter V-phase 4 b, the V-phase gate abnormality signal 12 b is input to the control unit 15. When the standby circuit switching logic 14 in the control unit 15 receives the V-phase gate abnormality signal 12b, it outputs an OFF signal (for example, a low level signal) as the V-phase switching contact input command 16b, and at the same time an ON signal ( For example, a high level signal) is output. When the turn-on command 16b is turned off, the phase switching contacts 7b and 8b shown in FIG. 1 are turned off, so that the failed phase 4b is disconnected from the three-phase inverter. At the same time, when the input command 16e is turned on, the OR circuit 33 in FIG. 1 outputs an on signal, the switching contacts 7d and 8d2 are turned on, and the standby phase 4d functions as one phase of the three-phase inverter.

  In FIG. 2, the standby circuit switching logic 14 outputs a V-phase signal command as the gate output command 13d. The phase gate output circuit 9d outputs the V-phase gate signal generated by the control unit 15 in response to the V-phase signal command. As a result, the inverter phase 4a becomes the U phase, 4c becomes the W phase, 4d becomes the V phase, and a normal three-phase inverter is configured.

(effect)
By detecting a failure for each phase of the three-phase inverter and switching only the failed phase to the standby system, it is possible to recover and start normally. Since the standby circuit is not a three-phase inverter unit but a phase unit, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the electric vehicle power supply device according to the present invention will be described.

  The inverter control unit 15 has a high frequency of failure in the same manner as the inverter phases 4a to 4c. If the control unit 15 fails, for example, an inverter failure may be erroneously detected. That is, it may be determined that the inverter phases 4a to 4c are abnormal although they are normal. Therefore, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a failure is detected for each phase of the inverter, and the inverter phase and control unit determined to be abnormal are switched to the standby inverter phase and control unit.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 show the circuit configuration of a second embodiment of the electric vehicle power supply device according to the present invention.

  The circuit configuration of FIG. 1 can be applied to the second embodiment in the same way as the first embodiment, and description of each part is omitted.

  In FIG. 3, each phase 4a-4d of an inverter is equivalent to each phase 4a-4d of FIG. Only the components different from the second embodiment of FIG. 2 will be described below. The outputs of the phase gate signal output circuits 9a to 9c of the control unit 15a are connected to the gate amplifier circuits 10a to 10c via the gate signal switching contacts 17a to 17c. The control unit 15b is provided as a standby control unit, and when a failure is detected in any one of the inverter phases 4a to 4c, two normal ones of the inverter phases 4a to 4c are substituted for the control unit 15a. The phase and standby inverter phase 4d is controlled as a three-phase inverter.

(Function)
When the switching element is broken in any of the phases 4a to 4c of the inverter, the corresponding gate amplifier circuit 10 in the phase detects the gate voltage abnormality of the switching element, and the standby circuit switching logic in the control unit 15a. The corresponding gate abnormality signal 12 is output at 14a.

  A specific example will be described below.

  In the normal state, all the gate signal switching contacts 17a to 17c in FIG. 3 are turned on, and all the gate signal switching contacts 17e to 17g are turned off. As the phase switching contact input commands 16a to 16c, all ON signals are output, and for 16d to 16f, OFF signals are output.

  Here, for example, if the switching element is broken in the V phase 4b of the inverter of FIG. 1, the V phase gate abnormality signal 12b is input to the control unit 15a. When the standby circuit switching logic 14a in the control unit 15a receives the V-phase gate abnormality signal 12b, it outputs an OFF signal as the V-phase switching contact input command 16b. In response to the OFF signal of the V-phase switching contact input command 16b, the phase switching contacts 7b and 8b shown in FIG. 1 are turned off, and the failed phase 4b is disconnected from the three-phase inverter.

  At the same time, the standby circuit switching logic 14a in FIG. 3 turns off the gate signal switching contacts 17a to 17c and sends a signal indicating that a V-phase abnormal failure has been detected as a standby system start command 18 in the standby system control unit 15b. To the standby circuit switching logic 14b. In response to the standby system activation command 18, the standby circuit switching logic 14b outputs an ON signal as the closing command 16e. By the output of this ON signal, the switching contacts 7d and 8d2 in FIG. 1 are turned on, and the standby phase 4d functions as one phase of the three-phase inverter.

  The standby circuit switching logic 14b turns on the normal-phase gate signal switching contacts 17e and 17g while keeping the V-phase gate signal switching contact 17f determined to be faulty turned off. At the same time, the gate output command 13d for the standby phase is set to the V-phase operation command.

  By the above switching operation to the standby system, the inverter phase 4a becomes the U phase, 4c becomes the W phase, and 4d becomes the V phase, and the control unit is also switched to the standby system, and a normal three-phase inverter circuit is configured.

(effect)
By detecting a failure in each inverter phase and switching the phase and control unit where the abnormality is detected to the standby phase and control unit, when the inverter unit fails, it is recovered and starts normally be able to. As in the first embodiment, since the standby circuit is not a three-phase inverter unit but a phase unit, the power supply device can be reduced in size and weight.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the control unit having a high frequency of failure similarly to the inverter circuit unit is also switched to the standby system, so that when a failure is detected, the probability of recovery is higher than in the first embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the electric vehicle power source apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, a phase failure state of the inverter that cannot be detected by the gate abnormality signal 12 is detected as an abnormality of each phase 4a to 4c of the inverter based on the detection signal of the phase output current detector of the inverter.

(Constitution)
The circuit configuration of a third embodiment of the electric vehicle power supply device according to the present invention is shown in FIGS.

  The circuit configuration of FIG. 1 can be applied to the third embodiment as in the first embodiment, and the description of each part is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, each phase 4a-4d of an inverter is equivalent to each phase 4a-4d of FIG. Only the configuration different from the second embodiment of FIG. 2 will be described below. Phase output current detectors 19 (19a to 19d) are provided at the outputs of the inverter phases 4a to 4d in FIG. 4 as representatively represented by the phase 4a. The detected value 20 (20a to 20d) of the phase output current detector 19 is provided to the standby circuit switching logic 14 of the control unit 15.

(Function)
The standby circuit switching logic 14 detects an overcurrent of each phase or an imbalance of the phase current (effective value) based on the phase output current detection value 20. Further, even when no gate abnormality is input as the gate abnormality signal 12, the standby circuit switching logic 14 detects an overcurrent or phase current imbalance in the phase output current detection value 20, and the corresponding phase 4 is abnormal. Detect that. The switching operation to the standby system after detecting the abnormality is the same as in the first embodiment.

(effect)
In the case of a phase failure state that cannot be detected by the gate abnormality signal 12, an abnormality of the phases 4a to 4c is detected based on the detection value signal of the phase output current detector 19, and switching to the standby system becomes possible.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of the electric vehicle power source apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the fourth embodiment, the failure of the inverter is repaired in units of phases, and the operating time of the four phase unit inverters 4a to 4d is equalized during normal operation, thereby extending the life of the three-phase inverter and the phase switching contact. .

(Constitution)
A circuit configuration of a fourth embodiment of the electric vehicle power supply device according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an example of operation information according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The circuit configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be applied to the fourth embodiment in the same way as the first embodiment, and description of each part is omitted.

(Function)
The control unit of the power supply device according to the present embodiment uses the operation information example shown in FIG. 5 to perform logic for operating the four phase unit inverters 4a to 4d shown in FIGS. Have. Further, the power supply device according to the present embodiment has a logic for equalizing the operation time of the six phase switching contacts 8a to 8c and 8d1 to 8d3.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation example of this embodiment.

  In this example, the operation information example No. 1 in FIG. An operation example of the power supply apparatus to which 1 (time condition: am / pm) is applied is shown. In the timing chart of FIG. 6, the high level indicates an operation period, and the low level indicates a stop period. For example, in the morning of the first day, the inverter U phase 4a, V phase 4b, and W phase 4c operate, and the standby phase 4d stops. Further, in the afternoon of the first day, the U phase 4a is stopped, and the V phase 4b, the W phase 4c, and the standby phase 4d are operating. Thus, the stop phase is set in order among the four inverter phases, and a three-phase inverter is configured by the remaining three phases.

  The operation information example No. 1 in FIG. 2, the stop phase is set in order in even day / odd day, that is, in units of one day. In addition to this, the setting of the stop phase is No. 1 in FIG. 3-No. Appropriate operation according to the operation status of each route, such as weekdays / holidays, route up / down, every 2 hours, every 5 hours, every 4 days, and a different phase (every time) Done based on information. Here, the number of times is assumed to be one operation from power ON to OFF of the power supply device. For example, when it operates continuously for 2 hours at rush hour, it is set as one operation. Therefore, every second means that the setting is changed every day in the case of a power supply device that operates in the morning and evening rush hours.

(effect)
By equalizing the operating time of the phase unit inverter, the expected remaining life is equalized and the life as a three-phase inverter can be extended. In addition, since the standby inverter phase also operates periodically, the failure can be detected early.

  Further, by equalizing the operating time of the phase switching contacts 8a to 8d, the remaining life of the phase switching contacts can be equalized and the life can be extended. In addition, since the standby phase switching contact is also periodically operated, the failure can be detected early.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the electric vehicle power supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  The high frequency (alternating current component) that may be generated in the DC input current of the power supply device may cause inductive interference to various signal devices installed on the ground side and the vehicle upper side of the electric vehicle. In this embodiment, such an AC component generated in the DC input current is removed or suppressed by using a standby inverter phase.

(Constitution)
7 and 8 show a circuit configuration of a fifth embodiment of the electric vehicle power supply device according to the present invention.

  Compared with the apparatus of FIG. 1, the power supply apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is connected in series between the reactor 23 and the current detector 24 provided in series on the DC input side of the power supply apparatus 1, and the output of the standby inverter phase 4d and the input intermediate potential. A phase switching contact 21, a current detector 25, and a reactor 22. The control unit 15 shown in FIG. 8 has a phase switching contact input command 16g added to the control unit 15 of FIG. 1, and this input command 16g provides an on / off signal to the phase switching contact 21 of FIG.

(Function)
As in the first embodiment, the inverter U phase 4a, inverter V phase 4b, and inverter W phase 4c perform a three-phase inverter operation during normal operation. At this time, the phase switching contacts 7a to 7c and 8a to 8c are all closed. During normal operation, the phase switching contacts 7d and 21 connected before and after the standby phase 4d are closed. The phase switching contacts 8d1 to 8d3 are open.

  When a failure occurs in any one of the inverter phases 4a to 4c, the phase switching contact of the phase in which the failure has occurred is opened, the standby phase switching contact 21 is turned off, and the corresponding contact of the switching contact 8d is closed. . As in the first embodiment, the standby phase 4d is switched at the same timing as the opened (failed) phase, thereby forming a normal three-phase inverter.

  In the fifth embodiment, when all the circuits are healthy, the standby phase 4d acts to cause the reactor 22 to pass a current similar to the AC component that may be generated in the input current. The control unit 15 in FIG. 8 detects the input current with the current detector 24 in FIG. 7 and separates and detects the AC component (amplitude and phase angle) by a filter operation. The control unit 15 generates a gate signal for the standby phase 4d with reference to the detection value of the current detector 25 so that the same current (same amplitude, same phase) as the AC component of the detected input current flows to the reactor 22. . At the same time, the standby circuit switching logic 14 outputs a gate output command 13d (for example, a high level signal) to the phase gate signal output circuit 9d. The phase gate signal output circuit 9d converts the voltage of the gate signal generated by the controller 15 and outputs it. As a result, the standby phase 4 d outputs the same current as that of the AC component, and the current flows through the reactor 22.

  In addition, the control part 15 can also control to advance the phase of the electric current which flows into the reactor 22 90 degree | times in consideration of attenuation | damping for the alternating current part of input current. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(effect)
By controlling the reactive current by the standby phase 4d, the inverter phase 4a to 4c can suppress the vibration of the input current by the inverted L filter circuit constituted by the filter capacitor 37 and the reactor 23 built in the inverter phase 4a-4c, The harmonic current contained in the input current can be suppressed by flowing the harmonic current (AC component) released by the three-phase inverter of the phases 4a to 4c to the input current to the reactor 22, and the ground side of the electric vehicle, the vehicle upper side It is possible to eliminate inductive obstacles to various signal devices installed in the network.

  The above description is an embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the apparatus and method of the present invention, and various modifications can be easily implemented.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the power supply device for electric vehicles which concerns on 1st Example based on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control part which concerns on 1st Example based on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control part which concerns on 2nd Example based on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control part which concerns on 3rd Example based on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation information based on 4th Example based on this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on 4th Example based on this invention. It is a power supply device for electric vehicles which concerns on 6th Example based on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control part which concerns on 6th Example based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Overhead wire, 2 ... Contactor (CTT), 3 ... Initial charge circuit, 4 ... Inverter, 5 ... AC filter, 6 ... Insulation transformer, 7 ... Phase change contact, 8 ... Phase change contact, 14 ... Standby circuit change Logic part 15 ... Control part 19 ... Phase output current detector 20 ... Phase output current detection value 21 ... Phase switching contact 22 ... Reactor 23 ... Reactor 24 ... Current detector 25 ... Current detector

Claims (5)

First to third inverter phases for converting direct current into three-phase alternating current;
A control unit for generating a gate signal for a three-phase inverter with respect to the first to third inverter phases;
A transformer for converting the three-phase output voltage of the first to third inverter phases into a voltage of an arbitrary value and supplying power to a load in the train;
A standby phase inverter for converting the direct current to single-phase alternating current;
A failure detection means for detecting a failure in units of the first to third inverter phases;
Switching means for switching the inverter phase in which the failure is detected by the failure detection circuit to the standby phase inverter, supplying the gate signal generated by the control unit to the inverter phase in which the failure is detected, and continuing the operation; ,
An electric vehicle power supply device comprising: A second controller for generating a gate signal for a three-phase inverter with respect to the first to third inverter phases;
The inverter phase in which the failure is detected by the failure detection circuit is switched to the standby phase inverter, and the normal inverter phase and the inverter phase in which the failure is detected among the first to third inverter phases are changed to the second phase. 2. The electric vehicle power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising second switching means for supplying the three-phase gate signal generated by the controller and continuing the operation.   2. The electric circuit according to claim 1, wherein the failure detection means detects a failure of each inverter phase based on a value of a gate signal voltage input to the inverter phase or a value of each inverter phase output current. Car power supply.   During normal operation, the control unit controls the switching means so that any one of the four phases of the first to third inverter phases and the standby phase inverter operates as a three-phase inverter and does not use it. The electric vehicle power supply device according to claim 1, wherein phases are set in order according to predetermined operating conditions. A first reactor provided in series in the DC current path supplied to the power supply device;
Filter capacitors respectively provided in parallel on the DC input side of the first to third inverter phases;
A second reactor connected in series between the output terminal of the standby phase inverter and a predetermined potential, a switch for turning on / off the current flowing through the reactor, and a first current detector for detecting the current flowing through the reactor;
A second current detector for detecting an input current flowing from the first reactor into the first to third inverter phases;
The control unit turns on the switch during normal operation, detects an AC component in the DC current generated by the first reactor and the filter capacitor by the first current detector, and is similar to the AC component. The gate signal is provided to the standby phase inverter with reference to a detection value of the second current detector so that current flows to the second reactor via the standby phase inverter. The power supply device for electric vehicles as described.

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