# US 9,438,116 B2 · Control unit for a boost converter device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,438,116 B2
- Document ID: US9438116B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/705,192
- Filed: 2015-05-06
- Published: 2015-11-12
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-09
- Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Toshikazu Ono; Daigo Nobe
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438116B2

## CPC

- H02M 3/158: including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
- G01R 31/00: Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere ({measuring superconductive properties G01R33/1238;} testing line transmission systems H04B3/46; testing or measuring semiconductors or solid state devices during manufacture {H10P74/00})
- H02M 1/32: Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
- G01R 31/2829: {Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems (testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844)}
- H02M 1/0009: {Devices or circuits for detecting current in a converter}
- H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A boost converter device includes a converter, a current sensor which detects a reactor current flowing through a reactor, and a control unit which controls the converter by using feedback control of the reactor current. The control unit executes at least one of reducing a carrier frequency which is used in the control of the converter and reducing a duty command value which is used in the control of the converter, detects an amplitude of current ripple by the current sensor during execution of the reduction of the carrier frequency or the reduction of the duty command value, and detects the current sensor as being abnormal in a case where the amplitude of the current ripple is less than a predetermined current fluctuation range at the time of abnormality of the current sensor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A boost converter device comprising:
a boost converter which includes a reactor and a switching element and can boost and output a voltage which is input from a battery;
a current sensor which detects a reactor current flowing through the reactor; and
a control unit which controls the boost converter by using feedback control of the reactor current,
wherein the control unit
executes at least one of reducing a carrier frequency which is used in the control of the boost converter and reducing a duty command value which is used in the control of the boost converter,
detects an amplitude of a current ripple by the current sensor when the reduction of the carrier frequency or the reduction of the duty command value is being executed, and
detects the current sensor as being abnormal in a case where the amplitude of the current ripple is less than a predetermined current fluctuation range at the time of abnormality of the current sensor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The boost converter device according to claim 1, wherein the reduction of the carrier frequency or the reduction of the duty command value is executed only in a period to detect the amplitude of the current ripple by the current sensor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The boost converter device according to claim 1, wherein detection of abnormality of the current sensor is performed when a vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The boost converter device according to claim 2, wherein detection of abnormality of the current sensor is performed when a vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.