JP2018191487A - Vehicular control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular control device allowing a vehicle to efficiently travel even when a failure occurs in a part of equipment.SOLUTION: A vehicular control device of one embodiment includes a circuit breaker, a plurality of inverters, a plurality of connection circuits and a control part. The plurality of inverters is individually provided electrically in series with respect to the circuit breaker, is provided electrically in parallel to one another, and converts DC power supplied to a power feeding system into AC power. The plurality of connection circuits connects the plurality of inverters to electric motors different from one another. The control part, when predetermined abnormality occurs in an AC circuit part formed by a combination of the connection circuits and the electric motors, electrically disconnects the AC circuit part in which the abnormality occurs from the power feeding system by controlling an inverter corresponding to the AC circuit part in which the abnormality occurs to a stop state out of the plurality of inverters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a vehicle control device.

  A circuit breaker, a plurality of inverters that are electrically connected in series to each other and electrically parallel to each other, and a plurality of connection circuits that connect the plurality of inverters to different motors, respectively. A vehicular control device is known.

  In the vehicle control device as described above, when a predetermined abnormality occurs in at least one of the plurality of connection circuits, the circuit breaker is opened so that all motors including a healthy motor can be electrically connected from the power source. Separated. The vehicle whose circuit breaker is opened is driven by, for example, another healthy vehicle. For this reason, it may be difficult to drive the vehicle efficiently.

JP 2012-75317 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device capable of efficiently driving a vehicle even when a failure occurs in some devices.

  The vehicle control device of the embodiment includes a circuit breaker, a plurality of inverters, a plurality of connection circuits, and a control unit. The said circuit breaker is provided in the electric power feeding system electrically connected to a power supply. The plurality of inverters are provided in series with each other and in parallel with each other with respect to the circuit breaker, and convert DC power supplied to the power feeding system into AC power. The plurality of connection circuits connect the plurality of inverters to different motors. The control unit corresponds to the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality occurs in the plurality of inverters when a predetermined abnormality occurs in the AC circuit unit formed by the combination of the connection circuit and the electric motor. By controlling the inverter to a stopped state, the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality has occurred is electrically disconnected from the power feeding system.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the vehicle of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the content of the control command with respect to the power converter circuit of embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process of the vehicle control apparatus of embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process flow of the driver of the inverter of embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same or similar functions. And the description which overlaps those structures may be abbreviate | omitted.

The vehicle control device 12 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the vehicle 1 including the vehicle control device 12.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a power source 11, a vehicle control device 12, a plurality of main motors 13, a plurality of wheels 14 (only one is shown in FIG. 1), and a cab 15. Yes. The vehicle 1 is, for example, an electric vehicle such as a railway vehicle.

  The power source 11 is a power source that supplies power to the vehicle control device 12. For example, the power supply 11 supplies DC power to the vehicle control device 12. The power source 11 may be a current collector such as a pantograph that receives power supplied from an overhead line, a current collector such as a current collector shoe that receives power supplied from a third rail, or various types of devices mounted on the vehicle 1. The battery device or the generator may be used. When AC power is supplied from the outside of the vehicle 1, the power source 11 may include a transformer, a converter that converts AC power into DC power, and the like.

The vehicle control device 12 is a power conversion device that converts electric power supplied from the power source 11 into electric power having a frequency and voltage suitable for driving the main motor 13 and supplies the converted electric power to the plurality of main electric motors 13. The vehicle control device 12 will be described later in detail.
The main electric motor (electric motor) 13 drives the wheels 14 with the electric power supplied from the vehicle control device 12 to cause the vehicle 1 to travel.

  The cab 15 includes various operating devices that control the vehicle 1 and a monitor device 21 that displays various information. Various operating devices include a reset switch 22 and an open switch 23. The reset switch 22 is operated when the circuit breaker 32 is returned to a conductive state after an abnormality (such as equipment failure) occurs in the vehicle 1 and a circuit breaker 32 described later is opened. The reset switch 22 is operated with the notch turned off. The open switch 23 is operated when the circuit breaker 32 is fixed in the open state. The reset switch 22 and the open switch 23 may be buttons on the screen displayed on the monitor device 21 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) in addition to or instead of the mechanical switch.

Next, the vehicle control device 12 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 12 includes a main switch 31, a first connection line L1, a second connection line L2, a circuit breaker 32, an input side contactor 33, a charging contactor 34, a charging resistor 35, and a filter. A reactor 36, a discharge resistor 37, a discharge resistor switch 38, a filter capacitor 39, a filter capacitor voltage detector 40, a power conversion circuit 41, a plurality of connection circuits 42, and a control unit 43 are provided. In the above configuration, the configuration excluding the control unit 43 may be collectively referred to as “main circuit MC”.

  The main switch 31 connects the power supply 11 and the main circuit MC. The main switch 31 switches the connection state (open / close state) between the power supply 11 and the main circuit MC. In the present embodiment, the main switch 31 connects the power supply 11 to the first connection line L1.

  The first connection line (positive line) L1 forms a power feeding system PL that extends from the main switch 31 to the power conversion circuit 41. The first connection line L <b> 1 is electrically connected to the power source 11 via the main switch 31, and DC power is supplied from the power source 11. The first connection line L1 is provided with a circuit breaker 32, an input side contactor 33, a charging contactor 34, a charging resistor 35, and a filter reactor 36. On the other hand, the second connection line (negative electrode line) L <b> 2 is grounded via the wheel 14.

  The circuit breaker 32 is provided in the first connection line L1. The circuit breaker 32 is, for example, a high-speed breaker (HB) that shuts off the power supply system PL at a high speed to protect the power conversion circuit 41 and the like from overcurrent when an abnormality such as a device failure occurs. is there. The circuit breaker 32 is opened, for example, when a “predetermined abnormality” described later is detected.

  The input side contactor 33 is provided in the subsequent stage of the circuit breaker 32. In the present specification, the “rear stage” means being located on the opposite side of the power source 11 in the direction of current flow from the power source 11 toward the power conversion circuit 41.

  The charging contactor 34 and the charging resistor 35 are provided at the subsequent stage of the input side contactor 33. The charging contactor 34 and the charging resistor 35 are provided in electrical parallel with each other. The charging contactor 34 is opened before the power conversion circuit 41 operates in the normal operation state. When the charging contactor 34 is opened, DC power is supplied to the filter capacitor 39 via the charging resistor 35, and the filter capacitor 39 is charged. The charging contactor 34 is turned on when the power conversion circuit 41 operates in a normal operation state.

  The discharge resistor 37 and the discharge resistor switch 38 are connected between the first connection line L1 and the second connection line L2 at a position subsequent to the charging contactor 34. The discharge resistor 37 and the discharge resistor switch 38 are electrically provided in series between the first connection line L1 and the second connection line L2. The discharge resistance switch 38 operates in conjunction with the main switch 31. When the main switch 31 is opened, the discharge resistance switch 38 is turned on. As a result, the charge stored in the filter capacitor 39 is discharged through the discharge resistor 37. The discharge resistance switch 38 is, for example, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), but may be a thyristor or other types of switching elements.

The filter reactor 36 is provided at the subsequent stage of the charging contactor 34.
The filter capacitor 39 and the filter capacitor voltage detector 40 are provided in the subsequent stage of the filter reactor 36. The filter capacitor 39 and the filter capacitor voltage detector 40 are connected between the first connection line L1 and the second connection line L2, respectively. As described above, the filter capacitor 39 is charged by DC power supplied via the charging resistor 35 when the charging contactor 34 is opened. When the filter capacitor 39 is charged, the operation of the power conversion circuit 41 becomes more stable in the normal operation state of the power conversion circuit 41. The filter capacitor voltage detector 40 is provided electrically in parallel with the filter capacitor 39. The filter capacitor voltage detector 40 detects the voltage of the electric charge stored in the filter capacitor 39.

  The power conversion circuit 41 is provided at the subsequent stage of the filter capacitor 39. The power conversion circuit 41 includes a plurality of inverters 51 that can operate independently of each other. Each of the plurality of inverters 51 is connected to the first connection line L <b> 1 and the second connection line L <b> 2 at a position subsequent to the filter capacitor 39. The plurality of inverters 51 include first to N-th (N is a natural number of 2 or more) inverters 51A, 51B,... 51N.

  Each of the plurality of inverters 51 is electrically connected in series to the circuit breaker 32 and the input side contactor 33. For this reason, when the circuit breaker 32 or the input side contactor 33 is opened, the plurality of inverters 51 are electrically disconnected from the power source 11 together. The plurality of inverters 51 are provided in electrical parallel with each other. For this reason, DC power supplied from the power supply 11 to the first connection line L <b> 1 is input to each of the plurality of inverters 51.

  In the present embodiment, the power conversion circuit 41 includes the same number of inverters 51 as the number of main motors 13. For example, the inverter 51 is a VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) inverter. The inverter 51 converts the DC power supplied from the power source 11 to the first connection line L1 to AC power of arbitrary frequency and voltage for controlling the torque and speed of the main motor 13 to which the inverter 51 is electrically connected. Convert to

  The inverter 51 includes, for example, a plurality (for example, six) of switching elements 51a (only two are shown in FIG. 1) and a driver 51b. The switching element 51a is, for example, a semiconductor element such as an IGBT, a bipolar transistor, a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), or a GTO (Gate Turn Off thyristor), and is a switching element that can be switched ON / OFF. It is not limited to a specific one as long as it is present. The switching element 51a has a gate (gate terminal) to which a drive signal for operating the switching element 51a is input.

  The driver 51b controls switching of the switching element 51a. For example, the driver 51b controls the switching of the switching element 51a by outputting a drive signal to the gate of the switching element 51a.

  Part or all of the driver 51b is a software function unit realized by executing a program (software component) stored in a storage unit such as a memory by a computer processor (hardware processor). Part or all of the driver 51b may be realized by hardware such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or You may implement | achieve by the combination of a software function part and hardware.

  Further, FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which a driver 51b is individually provided for each inverter 51. However, the drivers 51b of the plurality of inverters 51A to 51N may be realized collectively as one driver. That is, the drivers 51b of the plurality of inverters 51A to 51N may be realized by one software function unit, one hardware, or a combination of one software function unit and one hardware. Further, part or all of the driver 51b may be provided as part of the control unit 43 described later.

  The plurality of connection circuits 42 connect the plurality of inverters 51 to different main motors 13, respectively. In the present embodiment, the connection circuit 42 is provided individually for each of the plurality of inverters 51. The plurality of connection circuits 42 electrically connect the plurality of inverters 51 and the plurality of main motors 13 in a one-to-one relationship. The connection circuit 42 includes, for example, a three-phase line 61 from which AC power is output from the inverter 51. The connection circuit 42 supplies the AC power output from the inverter 51 to the main motor 13.

  In the present embodiment, the connection circuit 42 includes a current detector 62 and a load contactor 63. The current detector 62 detects the current value flowing through the three-phase line 61. The load contactor 63 is provided in the subsequent stage of the current detector 62. The load contactor 63 is disconnected to electrically disconnect the main motor 13 from the inverter 51. The load contactor 63 has an auxiliary contact in the control unit 43 that moves in conjunction with a contact mechanism that switches the load contactor 63 between an open state and a conductive state.

  In the present embodiment, one AC circuit portion C is formed by a set of one main motor 13 and a connection circuit 42 to which the main motor 13 is connected. In the vehicle 1, a plurality of AC circuit portions C are formed by a plurality of main motors 13 and a plurality of connection circuits 42. In the present embodiment, the plurality of AC circuit units C include first to Nth (N is a natural number of 2 or more) AC circuit units CA, CB,. In the present embodiment, one inverter 51 is provided for one AC circuit unit C.

  The control unit 43 controls the entire vehicle control device 12. For example, the control unit 43 controls the operation of the power conversion circuit 41. Part or all of the control unit 43 is a software function unit that is realized by a program stored in a storage unit such as a memory being executed by a processor of a computer. Note that part or all of the control unit 43 may be realized by hardware such as LSI, ASIC, or FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of a software function unit and hardware.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 43 includes an abnormality detection unit 71, a circuit breaker control unit 72, an open logic generation unit 73, and an inverter control unit 74. The abnormality detection unit 71 detects an abnormality (such as equipment failure) related to the vehicle control device 12 and the main motor 13. For example, the abnormality detection unit 71 includes a current detector 62, a load contactor 63, and other devices (for example, an ammeter, a voltmeter, and other various sensors) provided in the main circuit MC and the main motor 13. Get information about the status of those devices. The abnormality detection unit 71 detects an abnormality related to the vehicle control device 12 and the main motor 13 based on the states of the current detector 62, the load contactor 63, and the devices provided in the main circuit MC and the main motor 13.

  In the present embodiment, the abnormality detection unit 71 detects a “predetermined abnormality” in the vehicle control device 12 and the main motor 13. The “predetermined abnormality” is, for example, an abnormality that appears when a serious failure occurs in the vehicle control device 12 or the main motor 13. The “predetermined abnormality” means, for example, that the detection result of the current detector 62 cannot be obtained (failure of the current detector 62), that the current detector 62 detects an overcurrent, or the auxiliary contact of the load contactor 63 According to the state, the load contactor 63 should be in a conducting state, but no current flows through the current detector 62 (load contactor 63 is not turned on), or according to the state of the auxiliary contact of the load contactor 63 Although the load contactor 63 should be in an open state, a current flows through the current detector 62 (adhesion of the load contactor 63), but is not limited thereto.

  In the present embodiment, the abnormality detection unit 71 includes an abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a. In the vehicle 1, the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71 a is based on information obtained from the current detectors 62 and load contactors 63 of the plurality of AC circuit units C and the devices provided in the main circuit MC and the main motor 13. Determine where the anomaly occurred. For example, the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a determines in which AC circuit unit C the predetermined abnormality has occurred.

  The circuit breaker control unit 72 controls the circuit breaker 32 to open the circuit breaker 32 when a device failure (for example, a device failure that is a major failure) occurs in the vehicle 1. For example, the circuit breaker control unit 72 controls the circuit breaker 32 to open the circuit breaker 32 when a predetermined abnormality in the vehicle control device 12 or the main motor 13 is detected by the abnormality detection unit 71. As a result, the vehicle control device 12 is electrically disconnected from the power source 11.

  The open logic generation unit 73 generates a control command (open logic) for the power conversion circuit 41 based on the abnormality occurrence location determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a. The open logic generation unit 73 individually controls the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which the predetermined abnormality has occurred among the plurality of inverters 51 included in the power conversion circuit 41, A control command for controlling the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C (healthy AC circuit unit C) to be in an operating state is generated. The “control command for controlling the operation state” is not limited to a control command for actually operating the inverter 51, and the inverter 51 operates when a signal for operating the inverter 51 is input later. A control command that keeps the inverter 51 in an operable state so that the state can be changed may be used.

  Here, the “stop state” of the inverter 51 means a state in which no current flows through the switching element 51 a included in the inverter 51. For example, the “stop state” means a state in which switching of the switching element 51a is stopped in a state where no drive signal is input to the gate of the switching element 51a and no current flows to the drain and source of the switching element 51a. . On the other hand, the “operating state” means a state in which a current flows through the switching element 51 a included in the inverter 51. For example, the “operating state” means a state in which a drive signal is input to the gate of the switching element 51a and the switching element 51a performs switching, whereby a current flows through the drain and source of the switching element 51a.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of a control command for the power conversion circuit 41. The example shown in FIG. 2 shows a case where the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a determines that only the first AC circuit unit CA has the predetermined abnormality. In this case, the first inverter 51A corresponding to the first AC circuit unit CA is individually controlled to be stopped and the second to Nth inverters corresponding to the second to Nth AC circuit units CB to CN are controlled. A control command for controlling 51B to 51N to the operating state is generated. The “inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit” means the inverter 51 that supplies power to the AC circuit unit C.

  The inverter control unit 74 controls the power conversion circuit 41 based on a signal output from the notch of the cab 15 when no abnormality is detected in the vehicle control device 12 and the main motor 13. For example, the inverter control unit 74 controls the driver 51 b of each inverter 51 so that AC power having a desired frequency and voltage according to a signal output from the notch of the cab 15 is output from each inverter 51.

  In addition, when the predetermined abnormality occurs in one or more AC circuit units C among the plurality of AC circuit units C, the inverter control unit 74 causes the AC in which the predetermined abnormality occurs in the plurality of inverters 51. The inverter 51 corresponding to the circuit unit C is individually controlled to be stopped. As a result, the inverter control unit 74 electrically disconnects the AC circuit unit C in which the predetermined abnormality has occurred from the power feeding system PL.

  More specifically, the inverter control unit 74 controls the power conversion circuit 41 generated by the open logic generation unit 73 when the predetermined abnormality occurs in one or more AC circuit units C among the plurality of AC circuit units C. A control command is received from the open logic generation unit 73. The inverter control unit 74 individually controls the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which the predetermined abnormality has occurred, based on the control command for the power conversion circuit 41 generated by the open logic generation unit 73. Then, a control signal (individual opening signal) for controlling the inverter 51 corresponding to the other AC circuit unit C to the operating state is generated. Then, the inverter control unit 74 transmits the generated control signal to the power conversion circuit 41.

  The control signal (individual open signal) transmitted from the inverter control unit 74 to the power conversion circuit 41 is, for example, a control signal for the drivers 51b of the plurality of inverters 51A to 51N included in the power conversion circuit 41. In the present embodiment, the inverter control unit 74 outputs a signal that prevents the switching element 51a of the inverter 51 that is controlled to be stopped from being turned ON as the control signal. For example, the inverter control unit 74 outputs a control signal for controlling the driver 51b so as not to output a drive signal to the gate of the switching element 51a. In the present embodiment, the inverter control unit 74 outputs a signal for logically masking (blocking) the output of the driver 51b so as not to output a drive signal to the gate of the switching element 51a. Note that logically masking (blocking) the output of the driver 51b with a signal output from the inverter control unit 74 may be realized by constructing a logical circuit by a software function unit, or hardware. May be realized by constructing a logic circuit. Accordingly, the driver 51b that has received the control signal for individually controlling the inverter 51 to the stop state cannot output the drive signal to the gate of the inverter 51, and the operation of the inverter 51 is stopped.

Next, the process flow of the vehicle control device 12 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow of the vehicle control device 12. As shown in FIG. 3, when a predetermined abnormality occurs in the vehicle control device 12 or the main motor 13, the abnormality detection unit 71 detects that the predetermined abnormality has occurred (S11). When detecting the predetermined abnormality, the abnormality detection unit 71 notifies the circuit breaker control unit 72 that the predetermined abnormality has been detected. When receiving the notification that the predetermined abnormality has occurred from the abnormality detection unit 71, the circuit breaker control unit 72 opens the circuit breaker 32 (S12). As a result, the main circuit MC of the vehicle control device 12 is electrically disconnected from the power supply 11.

  The abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a is based on the information obtained from the current detector 62 and the load contactor 63 in each of the plurality of AC circuit units C, and the devices provided in the main circuit MC and the main motor 13. The location where an abnormality has occurred is determined (S13). Note that the process of S13 may be performed as part of the process of S11.

  Here, the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a may transmit information indicating the abnormality occurrence location determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a to the monitor device 21. The monitor device 21 may display information indicating the abnormality occurrence location determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a on the display screen of the monitor device 21. Thereby, when the predetermined abnormality is detected and the circuit breaker 32 is opened, the crew member of the vehicle 1 can easily know the location where the abnormality has occurred, and more appropriately determine whether or not to press the reset switch 22. Judgment can be made.

  Further, the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a determines whether or not the abnormality occurrence location determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a is the AC circuit unit C (S14). When the abnormality occurrence location is any of the plurality of AC circuit portions C, the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a sends information indicating the abnormality occurrence location determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a to the open logic generation unit 73. Output. On the other hand, when the abnormality occurrence location determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a is not the AC circuit unit C, the processing of this flowchart ends.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 43 includes a plurality of inverters when the circuit breaker 32 is returned to a conductive state after the predetermined abnormality occurs in one or more AC circuit units C and the circuit breaker 32 is opened. In 51, the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit part C in which the predetermined abnormality has occurred is individually controlled to be stopped.

  Specifically, the control unit 43 determines whether or not a signal indicating that the reset switch 22 has been operated is received by the control unit 43 (S15). When the control unit 43 receives a signal indicating that the reset switch 22 has been operated, the control unit 43 among the plurality of inverters 51 corresponds to the AC circuit unit C in which the predetermined abnormality has occurred. Are individually controlled to be stopped, and a control command (open logic) for operating the inverter 51 corresponding to another AC circuit unit C (healthy AC circuit unit C) is generated (S16). Then, the open logic generation unit 73 outputs the generated control command to the inverter control unit 74.

  Based on the control command generated by the open logic generation unit 73, the inverter control unit 74 individually controls the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which the predetermined abnormality has occurred, to the other AC circuit. A control signal (individual opening signal) for controlling the inverter 51 corresponding to the part C to the operating state is generated (S17). And the inverter control part 74 controls the inverter 51 corresponding to the healthy alternating current circuit part C among the some inverters 51 by outputting the produced | generated control signal to the power converter circuit 41 (S18). As a result, even when the circuit breaker 32 is conductive, the AC circuit portion C in which the predetermined abnormality has occurred can be electrically disconnected from the power supply system PL.

  When the signal indicating that the reset switch 22 is operated is not received by the control unit 43, the control unit 43 determines whether or not the signal indicating that the open switch 23 is operated is received by the control unit 43. When the signal indicating that the opening switch 23 has been operated is received by the control unit 43, the control unit 43 ends the processing of this flowchart while keeping the circuit breaker 32 open. On the other hand, when the signal indicating that the opening switch 23 has been operated is not received by the control unit 43, the control unit 43 returns to the process of S15 and repeats the flow.

Next, an example of the operation of the driver 51b of the inverter 51 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of the driver 51b of the inverter 51 when a control signal for controlling the inverter 51 to be stopped is input from the inverter control unit 74. This operation shows an example in which masking (blocking) the output of the driver 51b is realized by the software function unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the driver 51b determines whether or not it has received a control signal for controlling the inverter 51 including the driver 51b to a stopped state (output of the drive signal of the driver 51b to the gate of the switching element 51a). It is determined whether there is a mask for (S21). When the driver 51b receives a control signal for controlling the inverter 51 to be stopped (when there is a mask for the output of the drive signal of the driver 51b), the driver 51b outputs a drive signal to the gate of the switching element 51a of the inverter 51. (S22). In this case, the processing of this flowchart ends.

  On the other hand, when the driver 51b has not received a control signal for controlling the inverter 51 to the stop state (when there is no mask for the output of the drive signal of the driver 51b), the target frequency of the AC power output from the inverter 51 Then, based on the information on the target voltage, a control pattern for controlling the switching element 51a is generated (S23). The driver 51b operates the switching element 51a by outputting a drive signal to the gate of the switching element 51a based on the generated control pattern (S24). Thereby, the inverter 51 converts DC power into desired AC power.

  According to the vehicle control device 12 having the above-described configuration, the vehicle 1 can be efficiently traveled even when a failure occurs in some devices. Here, as a comparative example, consider a vehicle control device that does not have a control unit that controls an inverter corresponding to an AC circuit unit in which an abnormality has occurred among a plurality of inverters. In such a vehicle control device, when a predetermined abnormality occurs in some of the AC circuit units, the main circuit of the vehicle control device is electrically disconnected from the power source by opening the circuit breaker. In this case, the healthy main motor and inverter are also opened.

  On the other hand, the vehicle control device 12 of the present embodiment includes a circuit breaker 32, a plurality of inverters 51, a plurality of connection circuits 42, and a control unit 43. The circuit breaker 32 is provided in the power feeding system PL that is electrically connected to the power supply 11. The plurality of inverters 51 are respectively electrically connected in series to the circuit breaker 32 and electrically in parallel with each other, and convert DC power supplied to the power feeding system PL into AC power. The plurality of connection circuits 42 connect the plurality of inverters 51 to different main motors 13, respectively. When a predetermined abnormality occurs in the AC circuit unit C formed by the set of the connection circuit 42 and the main motor 13, the control unit 43 causes the AC circuit unit C in which an abnormality has occurred among the plurality of inverters 51. By controlling the corresponding inverter 51 to the stop state, the AC circuit portion C in which an abnormality has occurred is electrically disconnected from the power feeding system PL.

  According to such a configuration, even when a plurality of inverters 51 are electrically connected in series to the circuit breaker 32, only the AC circuit unit C in which an abnormality has occurred can be electrically disconnected from the power feeding system PL. it can. Thereby, the remaining healthy main motor 13 and the inverter 51 can be controlled to be in an operating state, and the vehicle 1 can be powered by the healthy main motor 13 and the inverter 51. Thereby, the vehicle 1 can be run efficiently. Moreover, according to the structure of this embodiment, even if it does not provide a contactor additionally, only the AC circuit part C in which abnormality has occurred can be electrically disconnected from the power feeding system PL. Thereby, cost reduction of the vehicle control apparatus 12 can also be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the inverter 51 includes a switching element 51a having a gate. The control unit 43 controls the inverter 51 to be in a stopped state by outputting a signal that prevents the switching element 51a from being turned on. According to such a configuration, the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which an abnormality has occurred can be more reliably controlled to be stopped.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 43 determines whether the abnormality occurs when the circuit breaker 32 is returned to a conductive state after the circuit breaker 32 is opened after a predetermined abnormality occurs in the AC circuit unit C. The inverter 51 corresponding to the part C is controlled to be stopped. According to such a configuration, even when a predetermined abnormality occurs in the AC circuit unit C and the circuit breaker 32 is opened, only the AC circuit unit C in which the abnormality has occurred is electrically disconnected from the power supply system PL. Thus, the circuit breaker 32 can be returned to the conductive state. Thereby, the remaining healthy main motor 13 and the inverter 51 can be operated, and the vehicle 1 can be run efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, when the control unit 43 receives a signal indicating that the reset switch 22 for returning the circuit breaker 32 to the conductive state has been operated, the control unit 43 causes the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which an abnormality has occurred. Outputs a signal to control the stop state. According to such a configuration, when the circuit breaker 32 is returned to the conductive state, the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which an abnormality has occurred can be more reliably controlled to the stopped state. Thereby, after returning the circuit breaker 32, it is possible to prevent the circuit breaker 32 from being opened again due to a current flowing through the AC circuit portion C in which an abnormality has occurred.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle control device 12 further includes an abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a that determines an abnormality occurrence location where a predetermined abnormality has occurred based on the state of the equipment included in the vehicle control device 12. When the abnormality occurrence location determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a is the AC circuit unit C, the control unit 43 controls the inverter 51 corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which the abnormality has occurred to a stopped state. According to such a configuration, whether or not the abnormality occurrence location is the AC circuit portion C is determined by the abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71a. The healthy main motor 13 and the inverter 51 can drive the vehicle 1. Thereby, the vehicle 1 can be traveled more efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the connection circuit 42 includes a current detector 62 and a load contactor 63. The abnormality occurrence location determination unit 71 a determines an abnormality in the connection circuit 42 based on at least one state of the current detector 62 and the load contactor 63. According to such a configuration, when an abnormality occurs in the current detector 62 or the load contactor 63, the current detector 62 or the load contactor 63 in which the abnormality has occurred is electrically disconnected from the power supply system PL, and the remaining The healthy main motor 13 and the inverter 51 can drive the vehicle 1. Thereby, the vehicle 1 can be traveled more efficiently.

  The vehicle control device 12 according to one embodiment has been described above. However, the configuration of the embodiment is not limited to the above-described content. For example, in the vehicle control device 12 of the above-described embodiment, when a predetermined abnormality occurs, the circuit breaker 32 is first opened. On the other hand, the vehicle control device 12 does not open the circuit breaker 32 when a predetermined abnormality occurs, and among the plurality of inverters 51, the inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit C in which the abnormality has occurred. Only 51 may be controlled to be in a stopped state, and the vehicle 1 may be driven by the remaining healthy main motor 13 and the inverter 51.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, some of the devices may fail due to having a control unit that controls the inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality has occurred in a plurality of inverters. Even if it occurs, the vehicle can be run efficiently.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 12 ... Control apparatus for vehicles, 13 ... Main motor, 22 ... Reset switch, 32 ... Circuit breaker, 41 ... Power conversion circuit, 42 ... Connection circuit, 43 ... Control part, 51 ... Inverter, 62 ... Current detection 63, load contactor, PL ... power supply system.

Claims (8)

A circuit breaker provided in a power supply system electrically connected to a power source;
A plurality of inverters that are each electrically connected in series to the circuit breaker and electrically parallel to each other, and convert DC power supplied to the power supply system into AC power;
A plurality of connection circuits for connecting the plurality of inverters to different motors, and
When a predetermined abnormality occurs in the AC circuit unit formed by the combination of the connection circuit and the electric motor, the inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality has occurred is stopped among the plurality of inverters. A control unit for electrically disconnecting the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality has occurred from the power supply system by controlling;
A vehicle control device comprising: The inverter includes a switching element having a gate,
The control unit controls the inverter to a stop state by outputting a signal that prevents the gate of the switching element from being turned ON.
The vehicle control device according to claim 1. The control unit corresponds to the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality occurs when the circuit breaker is returned to a conductive state after the circuit breaker is opened after the predetermined abnormality occurs in the AC circuit unit. Control the inverter to stop,
The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit outputs a signal for controlling an inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality has occurred to a stop state when the circuit breaker is returned to a conductive state.
The vehicle control device according to claim 3. When the control unit receives a signal indicating that a reset switch for returning the circuit breaker to a conductive state is operated, the control unit controls the inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality has occurred to a stopped state. Output signal,
The vehicle control device according to claim 4. The control unit controls the inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit in which the predetermined abnormality does not occur to an operating state when the circuit breaker is returned to a conductive state.
The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. Based on the state of the equipment included in the vehicle control device, further comprising an abnormality occurrence location determination unit that determines an abnormality occurrence location where the predetermined abnormality has occurred,
When the abnormality occurrence location determination unit determines that the abnormality occurrence location is the AC circuit unit, the control unit controls the inverter corresponding to the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality has occurred to a stopped state.
The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The connection circuit includes a current detector and a load contactor,
The abnormality occurrence location determination unit determines the predetermined abnormality in the connection circuit based on at least one state of the current detector and the load contactor.
The vehicle control device according to claim 7.

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