48V PoE Blind Actuator Without Voltage Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromechanical actuators for sun protection screens face challenges with energy efficiency and compactness when powered by POE technology, due to the need for voltage converters to accommodate 48V Ethernet connections, which increases complexity and reduces performance.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical actuator with a synchronous motor using permanent magnets, designed to operate directly at 48V, eliminating the need for converters and optimizing electrical efficiency by reducing wire diameter and enhancing filling coefficient, while incorporating a compensation spring to minimize power requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a converter is used to adapt 48V Ethernet power to motor voltage, then the actuator can be powered by PoE technology, but the device complexity and footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePoE power supply compatibilityVSAvoidactuator complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the converter component from the actuator system by designing a motor that operates directly at 48V Ethernet power voltage. This removes the unnecessary intermediary device, reducing complexity while maintaining PoE compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is designed with universal voltage compatibility to operate directly at 48V from Ethernet power injection, eliminating the need for voltage conversion. This multi-functional approach allows the motor to handle both the mechanical drive function and the voltage adaptation function simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a converter is used to adapt voltage, then PoE power supply is enabled, but the actuator footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePoE power supply compatibilityVSAvoidactuator footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The converter component is completely removed from the actuator assembly, eliminating its volume and footprint. The motor is redesigned to operate natively at 48V, making the physical space previously occupied by the converter unnecessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a converter is used for voltage adaptation, then PoE power supply is enabled, but electrical efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePoE power supply compatibilityVSAvoidelectrical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The converter is removed from the system, eliminating the energy losses associated with voltage conversion. By operating the motor directly at 48V Ethernet power voltage, the system avoids conversion inefficiencies and achieves optimal electrical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If standard brushed DC motors are used at 48V, then PoE power supply is utilized, but heating at brushes and collectors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePoE power supply compatibilityVSAvoidbrushes and collectors heating
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical brush and collector system with a brushless motor design. This substitution eliminates the friction and electrical contact issues that cause heating, while maintaining compatibility with 48V Ethernet power injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor uses permanent magnets in the rotor assembly, creating a composite structure that enables efficient 48V operation without brushes. This composite design with permanent magnets allows for direct 48V operation while avoiding the heating problems of traditional brushed motors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a compact, efficient, and cost-effective actuator that can operate directly on 48V Ethernet power, reducing size and energy consumption, and optimizing electrical performance without the need for additional converters.

Implementation Method 1

the motor is a synchronous motor comprising a wound stator and a rotor with permanent magnets, the motor being adapted to operate directly under the voltage supplied by the Ethernet network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Roller blind installations equipped with a pre-stressed compensation spring are known in the prior art. Such installations use the compensation spring to limit the forces required to raise the blind, by increasing the pre-stress of the spring during a blind deployment movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4082156B1Electromechanical actuator for driving a closure or sun protection screen, closure or sun protection system comprising such an actuator and method for dimensioning a compensation spring for a range of blinds each incorporating such an actuator
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP4082156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4082156B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4082156B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electromechanical actuator (2) for driving a movable closure or sun protection screen comprises a motor (8), a control board (6), a gear reduction assembly (12) and a connector (18) for connecting to a power supply source. According to the invention, the connector comprises eight electrical contacts, the connector being in particular an RJ45 connector, for supplying power to the actuator and transmitting data from an Ethernet network. The motor is a synchronous motor comprising a wound stator and a rotor with permanent magnets, the stator winding being designed to withstand a voltage of 46V to 57V, in particular a voltage of 48V.