Actuator Device Rotation Angle Sensor Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuator devices for motor vehicle braking systems using electric motors require extensive electrical connections and installation space, and are susceptible to sensor line failures due to the integration of rotation angle sensors with control electronics.

Innovation Solution

The rotation angle sensor is assigned to the end of the shaft connected to the consumer, positioned away from the electric motor, allowing for reduced wiring and integration of control electronics on the same side as the sensor, eliminating the need for additional cabling and protecting the sensor from external influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the rotation angle sensor is integrated with control electronics in the electric motor, then the motor unit is complete and ready for use, but additional power consumption occurs and extensive electrical connections are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete motor unit readinessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation angle sensor is extracted from the electric motor and repositioned at the end of the shaft connected to the consumer. This separation eliminates the need for the sensor to be integrated with the motor's power electronics, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the completeness of the motor unit through separate but coordinated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If the rotation angle sensor is integrated with control electronics in the electric motor, then the motor unit is complete, but extensive electrical connections and cabling are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete motor unit readinessVSAvoidelectrical connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation angle sensor is extracted from the electric motor assembly and positioned at the shaft end connected to the consumer. This extraction eliminates the need for complex electrical connections between the sensor and control electronics, as the sensor can now be positioned closer to the control electronics or utilize the existing shaft connection path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the rotation angle sensor is integrated with control electronics in the electric motor, then the motor unit is complete, but susceptibility to sensor line failures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete motor unit readinessVSAvoidsensor line reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation angle sensor is extracted from the electric motor and repositioned at the shaft end connected to the consumer. This repositioning reduces susceptibility to sensor line failures by shortening the sensor connection path and eliminating complex wiring between the sensor and control electronics, thereby improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the rotation angle sensor is positioned away from the electric motor at the shaft end, then wiring is reduced and sensor protection is improved, but the sensor must be precisely positioned on the shaft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring amountVSAvoidsensor positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is designed with pre-defined positioning features such as gear wheels or other mounting structures that enable precise positioning of the rotation angle sensor at the shaft end. This preliminary design of positioning features ensures that the sensor can be accurately positioned during assembly without requiring complex adjustment procedures, thereby reducing wiring while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3452345B1Actuator device for a vehicle, braking system
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3452345B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an actuator device (1) for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle braking system, comprising at least one electronically commutated electric motor (7) that has a rotor (9) which is arranged on a rotatably mounted shaft (5) for conjoint rotation therewith, further comprising at least one rotation angle sensor (13) for sensing a rotational position of the rotor (9), the shaft (5) being connected to at least one consumer (3) that is to be driven by the electric motor (7). According to the invention, the rotational angle sensor (13) is assigned to an end (16) of the shaft (5) that is associated with the consumer (3).