CONNECTORS FOR DRIVE UNITS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive system with a plurality of drive units having the preamble features of claim 1. The invention also relates to a connector for a drive system and a method for making and disconnecting a connection between a drive unit and a power supply system and a control system.

[0002] In decentralized drive systems with multiple drive units, such as conveyor belts, replacing a single drive unit previously required shutting down the entire drive system. This resulted in a complete system shutdown, which should be avoided. A known drive system is disclosed, for example, in US 2004 / 058586 A1, EP 3 637 596 A1, DE 10 2010 031456 A1, DE 10 2017 218136 A1, and DE 197 16 908 A1.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a drive system with a plurality of drive units in which a simple replacement of individual drive units is possible without the entire drive system having to come to a standstill.

[0004] This problem is solved by a drive system with a plurality of drive units having the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a connector according to claim 9. In addition, the problem is solved by a method for making and disconnecting a connection of a drive unit according to claim 12. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] A drive system according to the invention comprises a plurality of drive units, each drive unit comprising at least one inverter and one motor. The drive system also includes a power supply system configured to supply the drive units with electrical energy, and a control system comprising a control computer and at least one control line, the control system being configured to transmit control instructions to the drive units.

[0006] In the drive system, the power supply system and the drive units are each detachably connected to each other via a first connection connector, preferably via a plug connection, and the control system and the drive units are each detachably connected to each other via a second connection connector, preferably via a plug connection.

[0007] The inverter can be used, for example, to control and / or regulate a motor connected to it. The inverter can specify, for instance, a voltage amplitude or a voltage frequency applied to the motor. The motor could be, for example, an electric motor.

[0008] The power supply system can be any voltage source (stationary or mains-driven) that can supply the motor of a drive unit with electrical energy via the inverter to enable the motor to operate as intended. The electrical power supply system is designed to supply multiple drive units and is dimensioned accordingly in terms of its power output.

[0009] The control computer can be any computing unit that is designed to generate control commands to the inverter and / or the motor of a respective drive unit and to transmit these commands to the drive units via a control line, for example a copper wire or a fiber optic cable.

[0010] Drive units with integrated inverters (and, if applicable, motors) offer the possibility of minimizing external connections, as components such as temperature sensors or position encoders can be implemented internally. The drive unit has only one connection each to the power supply and the control system. The connection to the power supply can be either DC or AC (two-phase or three-phase). The connection to the control system can be purely optical, without any electrical connection.

[0011] The invention is based on the idea that a detachable connection between the individual drive units and the central power supply and control system allows for the replacement of individual (potentially defective or requiring overhaul) drive units without having to shut down the entire drive system. This allows, for example, several drive units to be connected in series within the drive system (which is regularly used in conveyor belts) without interrupting the operation of the other drive units when replacing a drive unit. The first and second connectors remain in the drive system and ensure proper operation.

[0012] The drive unit can also be a combination of an inverter with a photovoltaic unit, for example, a solar cell. The advantages of the drive system according to the invention become apparent here in the case of a photovoltaic unit (or the inverter) that needs to be repaired or replaced, since the other drive units (for example, in the context of a photovoltaic system with a large number of photovoltaic units (including inverters)) do not need to be switched off for this purpose.

[0013] The first connector and the second connector are designed as a single connector to improve handling.

[0014] The common connector is designed such that if the connection between the common connector and the drive unit is disconnected, the connection between the control system and the drive unit is interrupted before the connection between the power supply system and the drive unit. By disconnecting the drive unit from the control system beforehand, the motor or inverter can be prepared for the impending voltage drop that occurs when the drive unit is subsequently disconnected from the power supply system. In principle, this can also be done manually by a maintenance technician if the connectors are separate (first and second).However, the corresponding design of the (common) connector also offers the advantage that the sequence of disconnecting the connection is automatically carried out in an electrically advantageous sequence (without causing arcs or the like).

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first connector, the second connector or the common connector, and the drive unit each have a complementary connection for supplying power to the drive unit via a DC network and, additionally, each have a complementary connection for precharging the drive unit's inverter. Precharging the inverter can, in a manner known per se, reduce current peaks when connecting the inverter to the power supply system and thus prevent damage or excessive degradation of parts of the inverter.

[0016] Preferably, the first connector and / or the second connector or the common connector have a detachable connection to the power supply system and / or the control system. This allows a drive unit, including its associated connector, to be easily removed from or added to an existing drive system. The detachable connections described above are preferably plug connections, i.e., a connection comprising a plug and a corresponding recess.

[0017] The drive system can be designed such that several steps must be performed in a predetermined sequence to release the detachable connection(s). This has the advantage of preventing accidental disconnection of the connection(s).

[0018] The inverter and / or the first connector and / or the second connector and / or the common connector can have lever-based locking mechanisms and / or leading contacts and / or magnetic locking mechanisms, such that the multiple steps must be performed in a predetermined sequence to release the detachable connection(s). This allows the required sequence of steps to be defined particularly easily and efficiently.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drive unit and / or the first connector and / or the second connector and / or the common connector have an optical element, in particular a light-emitting diode (LED), which signals the completion of a pre-charging process of the inverter or the achievement of a defined state of the drive unit. This provides a technician of the drive system with information as to whether, for example, the inverter is ready to be connected to the main power supply after the pre-charging process. Alternatively, it indicates whether the connection of the drive unit to the power supply system can be disconnected.

[0020] The first terminal connector and / or the second terminal connector or the common terminal connector may incorporate a filter element, in particular a capacitor, and / or shielding to improve the electromagnetic compatibility of the terminal connector. Such measures are also possible at the inverter and / or the motor. Additionally, measures may be provided at the connections of the terminal connector (first, second, and / or common) to protect the electrical contacts of the terminal connector from an arc flash (e.g., in the form of a permanent magnet (blown-out) or by appropriate contact wiring).

[0021] The problem is further solved by a connector for a drive system, in which the connector is designed in such a way that, when the connection of the common connector to the drive unit is disconnected, the connection between the control system and the drive unit is interrupted before the connection between the power supply system and the drive unit.

[0022] The connector is not limited to use with a drive system. It can also be used to combine a converter with a power-generating unit, such as a photovoltaic unit. Advantageously, the connector provides a connection to the power supply system and / or the control system.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the connector has a connection complementary to the drive unit for supplying power to the drive unit via a DC network and additionally a complementary connection for precharging the inverter of the drive unit.

[0024] The problem is further solved by a method for establishing and disconnecting a connection between a drive unit comprising a converter (and preferably a motor), a power supply system configured to supply the drive unit with electrical energy, and a control system comprising a control computer and at least one control line, wherein the control system is configured to transmit control instructions to the drive unit. The method comprises the following steps: a) Establishing a connection between the drive unit and the power supply system and the control system via a common connector; b) Signaling to the drive unit that a disconnection from the power supply system is imminent, preferably by disconnecting the connection between the drive unit and the control system; c) Subsequently disconnecting the connection between the drive unit and the power supply system by disconnecting the connection between the drive unit and the connector.

[0025] In process step a, a connection between the energy supply system and a pre-charging port of the drive unit is preferably established via the connector in order to prevent excessively high current peaks and the associated wear / destruction of the drive unit, as previously described.

[0026] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understandable in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show: FIG 1 a drive system according to the invention with a drive unit and a connector in a schematic representation; FIG 2 a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention in a schematic representation; FIG 3 a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention in a schematic drawing; and FIG 4 a third embodiment of a connector according to the invention in a schematic drawing.

[0027] In FIG 1 Figure 1 depicts a drive system 1, which comprises a plurality of drive units, of which only a single drive unit 2 is shown for the sake of clarity. At least one further (not shown) drive unit of drive system 1 is essentially identical to the one in Figure 2. FIG 1 The drive unit 2 is designed as shown. The drive unit 2 has a converter 3 and a motor 4.

[0028] The drive system 1 also comprises a power supply system 5 and a control system 6. The power supply system 5 is designed to supply the drive unit 2 with electrical energy via power lines 7a, 7b (here via a DC network). The control system 6 includes a control computer 8 and a control line 9.

[0029] The power supply system 5 and the drive unit 2 are detachably connected to each other via a connector 10. For this purpose, the connector 10 has a first connection 11 and a second connection 13, each designed in the form of a plug or pin.

[0030] The first terminal 11 of the connector 10 is designed to be plugged into a first terminal 12 of the drive unit 2, which is designed in the form of a socket. Electrical energy can be transferred from the power supply system 5 to the drive unit 2 via the first terminal 11, 12 to drive the motor 4 (main power supply).

[0031] The second terminal 13 of the connector 10 is designed to plug into a second terminal 14 of the drive unit 2, which is designed as a socket. Electrical energy for precharging the inverter 3 of the drive unit 2 (precharging energy supply) can be transferred from the power supply system 5 to the drive unit 2 via the second terminal 13, 14. Typically, the terminals 13, 14 for precharging are smaller than the terminals 11, 12 for the main power supply.

[0032] The connector 10 also has a third connection 15, which is designed as a plug or pin and can be inserted into a corresponding connection 16 of the drive unit 2 in the form of a socket. The control system 6 can be detachably connected to the drive unit 2 via this connection 15, 16. In this example, the connection is made via an optical fiber as the control line 9.

[0033] A method for establishing and disconnecting a connection between the drive unit 2 and the power supply system 5 and the control system 6 can be carried out as follows. The connector 10, which provides a connection to the power supply system 5 and the control system 6, is connected to the drive unit 2. For this purpose, the plugs of the second terminal 13 are longer than the plugs of the first terminal 11, which in FIG 1 This is evident. When the connector 10 is inserted into the drive unit 2 (or more precisely: the plugs of terminals 11, 13, 15 into the corresponding terminals 12, 14, 16 of the drive unit 2), this design of the plug 13 establishes the connection for precharging the drive unit 2 earlier than the connection to the main power supply of the motor 4 (these are also referred to as "leading contacts"). This automatically enables precharging of the inverter 3 without requiring any special care from the installer, thus providing the previously described advantages regarding the durability and wear of the drive unit 2. A light-emitting diode 17, acting as an optical element (or optically effective element), can signal that the precharging process is complete.

[0034] In a subsequent step, the drive unit 2 is signaled to disconnect the connection (for example, in the case of a planned replacement of the drive unit 2). For this purpose, the control computer 8 can transmit a signal to the drive unit 2 that causes the motor 4 or inverter 3 to transition to a safe state. Alternatively, the connection between the drive unit 2 and the control system 6 can be disconnected, for example, by appropriately designing the terminals 15 and 16 of the connector 10 or the drive unit 2. These terminals can be designed such that when the connector 10 is disconnected from the drive unit 2, the control connection is disconnected first (especially before the terminals 11 and 12 of the main power supply).In other words, the connector 2 is designed such that when the connection of the connector 10 to the drive unit 2 is disconnected, the connection between the control system 6 and the drive unit 2 is broken before the connection between the power supply system 5 and the drive unit 2.

[0035] Subsequently, the connection of the drive unit 2 to the power supply system 5 is interrupted by disconnecting the connection of the drive unit 2 to the connector 10 (by pulling the connector 10 out of the drive unit 2). Alternative methods for preparing the drive unit 2 are also possible, one of which is described below. FIG 3 will be explained.

[0036] In FIG 2 A connector 10 and an associated drive unit 2 are shown. The drawing is opposite. FIG 1 This simplified representation only illustrates the aspect that certain steps must be performed in a predetermined sequence to disconnect the connection between connector 10 and drive unit 2. Drive unit 2 has an (electro-)magnetic locking mechanism 18 that can move a pin 19 along an axis. Connector 10 has a bolt 20, which is inserted into a recess 21 in drive unit 2 when the connector 10 is connected to drive unit 2. The bolt 20 has a recess 22 into which the pin 19 can be inserted by the locking mechanism 18 when connector 10 and drive unit 2 are connected. This prevents the bolt 20 from moving downwards (in the plane of the drawing), thus securing connector 10 and drive unit 2 to each other.If disconnection is intended, the locking mechanism 18 receives a corresponding control command (via the control system 6 or by a manual action on the drive unit 2) and moves the pin 19 out of the recess 22, so that the connecting connector 10 can be disconnected. This gives the drive unit 2 sufficient time to prepare for disconnection from the power supply system 5.

[0037] In FIG 3 An alternative embodiment of a connector 10 is shown. Here, the terminal 15 for connecting the control system 6 to the drive unit 2 is designed such that it can be moved relative to the terminals 11 and 13 for the power supply. A locking mechanism based on a lever 23 can be used for this purpose. This design of the connector 10 ensures that the connection between the drive unit 2 and the control system 6 is interrupted first, thus signaling to the drive unit 2 an impending disconnection of the connection to the power supply system 5.

[0038] In FIG 4The drive unit 2 has an internal control unit 24, which can be addressed either directly (via a push button or the like) or via the control system 6. The control unit 24 can trigger a magnetically actuated device 25, which, by means of a magnetic attraction, can move a locking lever 26 of the connector 10 between a locked position and a released position. This ensures that the connection between the drive unit 2 and the connector 10 cannot be unintentionally disconnected.

Claims

1. Drive system (1) having a plurality of drive units (2), wherein the drive units (2) in each case comprise an inverter (3) and a motor (4), and having an energy supply system (5) that is designed so as to supply the drive units (2) with an electrical energy, and having a control system (6) that comprises a control computer (8) and at least one control line (9), wherein the control system (8) is designed so as to transmit control instructions to the drive units (2), wherein the energy supply system (5) and the drive units (2) are connected to one another in a detachable manner in each case via a first connection connector, preferably via a plug connection, and that the control system (6) and the drive units (2) are connected to one another in a detachable manner in each case via a second connection connector, preferably via a plug connection, characterised in that the first connection connector and the second connection connector are designed in each case as a common connection connector (10), wherein the common connection connector (10) is designed in such a manner that in the event of a detachment of the connection of the common connection connector (10) to the drive unit (2), the connection between the control system (6) and the drive unit (2) is separated chronologically prior to the connection between the energy supply system (5) and the drive unit (2).

2. Drive system (1) according to claim 1, in which the first connection connector, the second connection connector or the common connection connector (10) and the drive unit (2) respectively have a complementary connection (11, 12) for an energy supply of the drive unit via a DC voltage power supply and in addition respectively a complementary connection (13, 14) for pre-charging the inverter (3) of the drive unit (2).

3. Drive system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first connection connector and / or the second connection connector or the common connection connector (10) have a detachable connection to the energy supply system (5) and / or to the control system (6).

4. Drive system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the detachable connection is a plug connection.

5. Drive system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which multiple operating steps must be performed in a predetermined sequence in order to be able to detach the detachable connection or the detachable connections.

6. Drive system (1) according to claim 5, in which the inverter (3) and / or the first connection connector and / or the second connection connector and / or the common connection connector (10) can have locking arrangements based on levers and / or leading contacts and / or magnetic locking arrangements in such a manner that the multiple operating steps must be performed in the predetermined sequence in order to be able to detach the detachable connection or the detachable connections.

7. Drive system (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the drive unit (2) and / or the first connection connector and / or the second connection connector and / or the common connection connector (10) have an optical element (17), in particular a light-emitting diode, and it can be signalled by the light-emitting diode that a pre-charging procedure of the inverter (3) has been terminated or a defined state of the drive unit (2) has been reached.

8. Drive system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first connection connector and / or the second connection connector or the common connection connector (10) have a filter element, in particular a capacitor, and / or a shielding in order to increase an electromagnetic compatibility.

9. Connection connector (10) for a drive system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection connector (10) is designed in such a manner that in the event of a detachment of the connection of the common connection connector (10) to the drive unit (2), the connection between the control system (6) and the drive unit (2) is separated chronologically prior to the connection between the energy supply system (5) and the drive unit (2).

10. Connection connector (10) according to claim 9, which has a detachable connection to the energy supply system (5) and / or to the control system (6).

11. Connection connector (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, which has a connection (11), which is complementary to the drive unit (2), for an energy supply of the drive unit (2) via a DC voltage power supply and in addition has a complementary connection (14) for pre-charging the inverter (3) of the drive unit (2).

12. Method for producing and separating a connection of a drive unit (2), which comprises an inverter (3), and preferably a motor (4), to an energy supply system (5) that is designed so as to supply the drive unit (2) with an electrical energy and to a control system (6) that comprises a control computer (8) and at least one control line (9), wherein the control system (6) is designed so as to transmit control instructions to the drive unit (2), the method comprising: a) producing a connection of the drive unit (2) to the energy supply system (5) and to the control system (6) by a common connection connector (10); b) signalling to the drive unit (2) that a separation from the energy supply system (5) is impending, wherein the signalling is preferably performed by a separation of the connection of the drive unit (2) to the control system (6); c) subsequently separating the connection of the drive unit (2) to the energy supply system (5) by separating the connection of the drive unit (2) to the connection connector (10).

13. Method according to claim 12, in which during method step a in accordance with claim 12 initially a connection of the energy supply system (5) to a pre-charging connection (14) of the drive unit (2) is produced via the connection connector (10) .