Method for designing and / or dimensioning a drive device

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for designing and / or dimensioning a drive device (103) having a rotary electric motor (106) and at least one component (105, 107) connected thereto, comprising: defining the load (104) to be moved by the drive device (103), defining the parameters of the electric motor (106) and of the further component (105, 107) of the drive device (103) in accordance with the load (104) to be moved, providing the M-n curve (202) of the electric motor (106), calculating the M-n curve of the further component (105, 107) using at least one parameter characterising the further component, determining the maximum run-up torque (201) of the drive device (103) on the basis of the M-n curves (202, 203, 204), and simultaneously graphically displaying the M-n curves (202, 203, 204) and the maximum run-up torque (201) such that each displayed dependency is clearly assigned to the electric motor or to the further component of the drive device.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for designing and / or dimensioning a drive device

[0003] The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for designing and / or dimensioning a drive device and a computer program product with the instructions for executing the method.

[0004] The design and dimensioning of drive systems is a crucial step in the construction and implementation of machinery and systems. These processes are fundamental to the efficiency, performance, and reliability of the entire system. The selection of the right drive components, such as motors, gearboxes, and controllers, depends on various factors, including the type of application, the required power, environmental factors, and, last but not least, safety requirements.

[0005] In industry, drive systems are used in a wide variety of applications, from simple conveyor belts to highly complex robotic systems. Precise design is essential in areas such as factory automation, materials processing, logistics, and many others. Optimizing drive systems not only increases efficiency and saves costs, but can also improve product quality and enhance workplace safety.

[0006] When designing drive devices, various aspects can be taken into account, including load requirements, acceleration and speed profiles, environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, and integration into the overall system.

[0007] The design and dimensioning of drive systems is often performed using specialized software tools and simulation programs—also known as design tools. These tools enable engineers to perform complex calculations, analyze various scenarios, and evaluate the performance of the drive system in advance. Furthermore, engineers (users) can draw on their expertise and experience to make the right decisions when selecting and configuring drive components. The disadvantage of many conventional design tools, which are based on computer-implemented procedures, is that users still need considerable expertise to make a decision, and the tools do not adequately guide them toward the decision.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method that enables the user to be reliably guided towards a decision.

[0009] In other words, the task is to create a reliable “assistance system” that interactively guides the user in the design and / or dimensioning of drive devices.

[0010] The object is achieved by a method of the aforementioned type, wherein the drive device comprises a rotary electric motor and at least one further component mechanically and / or electrically connected to the electric motor, and is designed to convert the current supplied to it into a mechanical movement in order to move a load connected to the drive device, wherein the load to be moved by the drive device is determined, for example, by a user input, the rotary electric motor and the further component of the drive device are determined according to the load to be moved, for example, by a user input, a dependency of the torque on the speed related to the electric motor is provided, a dependency of the torque on the speed related to the further component is calculated using at least one parameter characterizing the further component,The maximum run-up torque of the drive device is determined based on the dependency related to the electric motor and the dependency related to the other component, and the dependency related to the electric motor, the dependency related to the other component, and the maximum run-up torque are simultaneously graphically displayed in such a way that each displayed dependency is clearly assigned to the electric motor or the other component of the drive device. Such a graphical representation immediately shows the user which of the selected components or parameters of the drive device limit its maximum run-up torque.

[0011] It may be appropriate to propose replacing the electric motor and / or the other component if the maximum available run-up torque deviates from the dependency related to the electric motor and / or the other component.

[0012] In addition, it can be provided that, based on the maximum run-up torque, a dependency of the ramp-up and / or ramp-down time on the speed of the electric motor is calculated and displayed.

[0013] It may be useful to compare the calculated ramp-up and / or ramp-down time with a corresponding predefined limit value and, if the value is exceeded or not reached, to suggest replacing the electric motor and / or the other component.

[0014] Furthermore, it may be useful to create a motion profile, wherein the motion profile describes a movement of the specified load to be moved within a predetermined time, wherein the maximum run-up torque is used in creating the motion profile, wherein a thermal load on the drive device is calculated for the motion profile, and if the thermal load exceeds a predetermined thermal limit, a warning is generated and output to a user and / or to an automated control system.

[0015] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the dependence of the torque on the speed related to the electric motor is adapted to at least one predetermined environment- and / or application-specific parameter.

[0016] In addition, it may be appropriate if the maximum run-up torque of the drive device is determined as the minimum of the dependency related to the electric motor and the dependency related to the other component.

[0017] The additional component can be, for example, an inverter or a gearbox. Furthermore, the parameter can be an inverter output current or the maximum gearbox output torque converted to the motor side or the maximum input torque of the gearbox adapter.

[0018] It can advantageously be provided that the maximum run-up torque of the drive device is additionally determined on the basis of a maximum power available at the motor.

[0019] Further features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures, which schematically show:

[0020] FIG 1 an industrial environment,

[0021] FIG 2 graphical representation,

[0022] FIG 3 Ramp-up and ramp-down times, and

[0023] FIG 4 Movement profile

[0024] FIG 1 illustrates an industrial environment in which the computer-implemented method is typically applied.

[0025] An engineer, for example, an automation technician 101, is planning a project in an industrial environment, particularly in a production facility 102. Automation involves the use of drive devices 103 designed to move a load 104. For this purpose, drive devices 103 are supplied with electricity and convert the energy supplied to them into a mechanical movement of the load 104.

[0026] The drive device 103 must correspond to the load 104, ie it must be designed and / or dimensioned accordingly.

[0027] The load 104 can be configured in various ways. For example, it can be an axis of a machine tool, a pump, or another mechanically movable part of the automation system.

[0028] The drive device 103 typically comprises two or more elements. In FIG. 1, the drive device consists of three interconnected components: an inverter 105, a rotary electric motor 106, and a gearbox 107—a mechanical device used to vary the speed and torque between the electric motor 106 and the load 104.

[0029] In order to design and / or dimension the drive device 103 for the load 104 accordingly, a computer-implemented method is proposed.

[0030] The method can be carried out by a computer 108. For this purpose, the computer 108 typically comprises a computer program with corresponding instructions which, when executed by the computer 108, cause the computer to carry out the computer-implemented method and to design and / or dimension the drive device 103.

[0031] It is understood that the computer 108 and / or the computer program need not be located in or on the system 102; it may be a remote computer, cloud server, or the like. The computer program need not be stored on the computer 108, but may also be located in a cloud, allowing a user 101 to access the program remotely.

[0032] In the method, the load 104 to be moved by the drive device 103 is first determined. In this case, this can be done by user input. The user only needs to enter an estimated value that defines the load inertia relative to the motor shaft.

[0033] Subsequently, the electric motor 106 and at least one other component of the drive device 103—that is, in FIG. 1, the converter 105 or the gear 107—are defined according to the load 104 to be moved. This can also be done by user input on the computer 108. All components—that is, the converter 105, the electric motor 106, the gear 107, but also connecting cables, power supply devices that may be connected upstream of the converter 105, and much more—can be selected from a database (not shown here). The database can be provided either locally on the computer 108 or remotely, e.g., on a server in the cloud.

[0034] The electric motor 106, the converter 105, or the gearbox 107 is determined by retrieving the corresponding parameters describing the respective component of the drive device 103. A torque-speed dependency curve, or motor maximum torque characteristic curve for short, is then provided for the electric motor 106. The motor maximum torque characteristic curve characterizing the electric motor can also be read from the database.

[0035] It can advantageously be provided that the motor maximum torque characteristic curve is preferably automatically adapted to at least one predetermined (e.g. by the user 101) environment- and / or application-specific parameter.

[0036] Next, a torque-speed dependency is calculated for both converter 105 and gearbox 107. The corresponding dependency is calculated using a parameter that characterizes converter 105 or gearbox 107 accordingly. For example, the parameter can be an (available or maximum) converter output current or the maximum gearbox output torque converted to the motor side, or the maximum input torque of the gearbox adapter.

[0037] The motor maximum torque characteristic curve and the aforementioned dependencies limit the maximum run-up torque of the entire drive device 103. They each represent an upper limit.

[0038] In the next step, the maximum run-up torque is determined based on the motor maximum torque characteristic, the dependency related to the converter 105 and the dependency related to the gearbox 107.

[0039] The maximum run-up torque can, for example, be determined as a minimum from the motor maximum torque characteristic and the dependencies for the converter 105 and for the gearbox 107.

[0040] Furthermore, it may be provided that the maximum run-up torque of the drive device is additionally determined based on a maximum power available at the motor 106. This power forms a further upper limit for the maximum run-up torque of the entire drive device 103.

[0041] After the maximum run-up torque has been calculated, the motor maximum torque characteristic curve, the dependencies for the converter 105 and for the gearbox 107 and possibly the maximum power available at the motor 106 are graphically displayed together and simultaneously with the maximum run-up torque in such a way that each displayed dependency is clearly assigned to the converter 105, the electric motor 106, the gearbox 107 or the maximum available motor power (see FIG 2).

[0042] In other words, a graphical representation 200 of the calculated maximum run-up torque 201 and all available upper limits determined by the corresponding component of the drive device 103 (by the electric motor 106 - the limit 202 (in black); by the inverter 105 - the limit 203 (in green); by the gearbox - the limit 204 (in gray) and by the maximum permitted power - the limit 205 (in orange)) is generated, whereby the maximum run-up torque 201 and the available upper limits 202 to 205 are made visible simultaneously.

[0043] It may also be provided that the individual upper limits are hidden and displayed again in response to a corresponding user input.

[0044] When calculating the maximum acceleration torque 201, additional parameters, for example, those specified by the user 101, can be entered and taken into account. For example, it may be useful to specify a friction torque. Friction reduces the maximum acceleration torque 201, making it unavailable for acceleration. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the maximum acceleration torque 201 is even smaller than the maximum available torque of the transmission 107 in a speed range between 0 rpm and approximately 1750 rpm.

[0045] Additional inputs that limit the torque are also conceivable. For example, it may be useful to also enter a torque limit that applies to the driven mechanism. The resulting maximum acceleration torque can be considered as an additional limit in the calculation.

[0046] The graphic representation 200 can be displayed on a display, for example, on a screen of the computer 108, and in particular to the user 101. It is entirely conceivable to generate additional graphic and / or acoustic signals that draw the attention of the user 101 to the graphic representation 200.

[0047] The unambiguous assignment can be achieved, for example, by coloring the respective upper limits differently. This is illustrated in FIG. 2. The simultaneous display 200 of the maximum run-up torque 201 and the corresponding upper limits 202 to 205, so that the respective upper limit is clearly assigned to the corresponding component 105, 106, 107 of the drive device 103, ensures reliable guidance of the user 101 through the process of designing and / or dimensioning the drive device 103.

[0048] For example, it is immediately apparent in this way which component 105, 106, 107 of the drive device 103 results in, for example, the selected electric motor 106 not being used optimally.

[0049] For example, if the maximum available start-up torque 201 deviates from one or more upper limits 202 to 205, it may be proposed to replace the converter 105, the electric motor 106 or the gearbox 107, for example to dimension them differently, or to ensure that the maximum permitted power is increased.

[0050] In addition, based on the maximum run-up torque, a dependence of the ramp-up and / or ramp-down time on the speed of the electric motor 106 can be calculated and displayed (see FIG 3).

[0051] The calculated ramp-up and / or ramp-down time can be compared with a corresponding predefined limit value and, if the value is exceeded or not reached, it is suggested that the converter 105, the electric motor 106 or the gearbox 107 be replaced.

[0052] Furthermore, it is possible to create and display a motion profile 400 (FIG. 4). Shown are: a distance "s" 401 in meters covered by movement as a function of time "t", the speed "v" 402 (of the load 104) in meters per second as a function of time "t", the acceleration "a" 403 in meters per second squared as a function of time "t", the speed "n" 404 in revolutions per minute as a function of time "t", and the torque "M" 405 in Newton times meters as a function of time "t".

[0053] The motion profile describes a movement of the specified load 104 to be moved within a specified time—here, 25 seconds. The maximum run-up torque 201 is used when creating the motion profile. A thermal load on the drive device is calculated for the motion profile, and if the thermal load exceeds a specified thermal limit, a warning is generated and output to a user 101 and / or to an automated control system.

[0054] The purpose of this description is merely to provide illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and special features of this invention. Thus, it cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the field of application of the invention or the patent rights claimed in the claims. In particular, the features disclosed in connection with the methods described here can be usefully used to further develop the systems described here, and vice versa. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, this includes persons with male, female, or other gender identities.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A computer-implemented method for the design and / or dimensioning of a drive device (103) comprising a rotary electric motor (106) and at least one further component (105, 107) mechanically and / or electrically connected to the electric motor (106), and designed to convert the current supplied to it into a mechanical movement in order to move a load (104) connected to the drive device (103), the load (104) to be moved by the drive device (103) is determined, the rotary electric motor (106) and the further component (105, 107) of the drive device (103) are determined according to the load (104) to be moved, a dependency (202) of the torque on the speed related to the electric motor (106) is provided, a dependency (203) related to the further component (105, 107)204) of the torque from the speed is calculated using at least one parameter characterizing the further component, the maximum run-up torque (201) of the drive device (103) is determined based on the dependency (202) related to the electric motor (106) and the dependency (203, 204) related to the further component (105, 107), the dependency (202) related to the electric motor (106), the dependency (203, 204) related to the further component (105, 107) and the maximum run-up torque (201) are simultaneously graphically displayed such that each displayed dependency is uniquely assigned to the electric motor or the further component of the drive device.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein, if the maximum available run-up torque (201) deviates from the dependency (201) related to the electric motor (106) and / or the dependency (203, 204) related to the further component (105, 107), it is proposed to replace the electric motor (106) and / or the further component (105, 107).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a dependency of the ramp-up and / or ramp-down time on the speed of the electric motor (106) is calculated and displayed on the basis of the maximum run-up torque (201).

4. Method according to claim 3, the calculated ramp-up and / or ramp-down time is compared with a corresponding predetermined limit value and if the value is exceeded or not reached, it is proposed to replace the electric motor (106) and / or the further component (105, 107).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a movement profile is created, wherein the movement profile (400) describes a movement of the specified load (104) to be moved within a predetermined time, wherein the maximum run-up torque (201) is used when creating the movement profile (400), wherein a thermal load on the drive device (103) is calculated for the movement profile (400), and if the thermal load exceeds a predetermined thermal limit, a warning is generated and output to a user (101) and / or to an automated control system.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dependency (202) of the torque on the rotational speed related to the electric motor (106) is adapted to at least one predetermined environment- and / or application-specific parameter.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the maximum run-up torque (201) of the drive device is determined as the minimum of the dependency (202) related to the electric motor (106) and the dependency (203, 204) related to the further component (105, 107).

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the further component is a converter (105) or a gear (107).

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the parameter is an inverter output current or the maximum gearbox output torque converted to the motor side or the maximum input torque of the gearbox adapter.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the maximum run-up torque (201) of the drive device is additionally determined based on a maximum power available at the motor (205).

11. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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