AC Brushless Power Tool Startup With Reduced DC Bus Pulsation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Alternating current power tools face high probabilities of startup failure due to large electrolytic capacitors, which generate heat and affect heat dissipation, and without them, voltage input to the motor produces significant pulsation.

Innovation Solution

A power tool design incorporating a small electrolytic capacitor or a thin film capacitor in series with a rectifier circuit to filter pulsating direct current, combined with a controller that outputs PWM signals based on alternating current detection and rotor position calculations to manage motor startup effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a large electrolytic capacitor is used to stabilize input voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but device size increases and heat generation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the capacitance parameter from large to small by using a small electrolytic capacitor combined with a thin film capacitor. This parameter change allows the system to maintain voltage stability during motor startup while significantly reducing the overall capacitor volume and associated heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite capacitor configuration by combining a small electrolytic capacitor with a thin film capacitor in parallel. This composite structure leverages the high capacitance density of electrolytic capacitors for bulk energy storage and the low ESR (equivalent series resistance) of thin film capacitors for high-frequency ripple filtering, achieving effective voltage stabilization with reduced size and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If a large electrolytic capacitor is used to stabilize input voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but heat generation increases and component lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the capacitance parameter from large to small by using a small electrolytic capacitor combined with a thin film capacitor. This parameter change allows the system to maintain voltage stability during motor startup while significantly reducing the overall capacitor volume and associated heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite capacitor configuration by combining a small electrolytic capacitor with a thin film capacitor in parallel. This composite structure leverages the high capacitance density of electrolytic capacitors for bulk energy storage and the low ESR (equivalent series resistance) of thin film capacitors for high-frequency ripple filtering, achieving effective voltage stabilization with reduced size and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Volume of stationary object

If no large electrolytic capacitor is used, then device size is reduced and heat dissipation is improved, but voltage pulsation increases and startup reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidstartup reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the capacitance parameter from large to small by using a small electrolytic capacitor combined with a thin film capacitor. This parameter change allows the system to maintain voltage stability during motor startup while significantly reducing the overall capacitor volume and associated heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite capacitor configuration by combining a small electrolytic capacitor with a thin film capacitor in parallel. This composite structure leverages the high capacitance density of electrolytic capacitors for bulk energy storage and the low ESR (equivalent series resistance) of thin film capacitors for high-frequency ripple filtering, achieving effective voltage stabilization with reduced size and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Temperature

If no large electrolytic capacitor is used, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but voltage pulsation increases and startup reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidstartup reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the capacitance parameter from large to small by using a small electrolytic capacitor combined with a thin film capacitor. This parameter change allows the system to maintain voltage stability during motor startup while significantly reducing the overall capacitor volume and associated heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite capacitor configuration by combining a small electrolytic capacitor with a thin film capacitor in parallel. This composite structure leverages the high capacitance density of electrolytic capacitors for bulk energy storage and the low ESR (equivalent series resistance) of thin film capacitors for high-frequency ripple filtering, achieving effective voltage stabilization with reduced size and heat generation.

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 reduces the probability of startup failure by stabilizing voltage input and minimizing heat generation, ensuring accurate rotor position calculation and continuous torque generation, thus enhancing the power tool's reliability and lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

A power tool design incorporating a small electrolytic capacitor or a thin film capacitor in series with a rectifier circuit to filter pulsating direct current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a rectifier circuit to filter pulsating direct current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4020786B1Ac power tool and method for startup thereof
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 NANJING CHERVON IND
  • EP4020786B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4020786B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4020786B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is an alternating current power tool. The alternating current power tool includes a brushless motor, a power module, a voltage conversion module, a drive circuit, and a controller. The power module is configured to receive an alternating current to supply power to the stator winding. The voltage conversion module is configured to receive the alternating current received by the power module and operatively output a direct current bus voltage. The drive circuit is electrically connected to the power conversion module and configured to drive the brushless motor. The controller is configured to start timing when the alternating current received by the power module crosses through a point of zero. In a preset time interval [T1, T2] of each half cycle, a first control signal is outputted to the drive circuit to power on the stator winding. The starting time of the preset time interval is T1, and the cut-off time of the preset time interval is T2.