Air Compressor Thermal Control via Motor Current and Fan Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air compressors used in construction sites and vehicles face excessive temperature rises, leading to increased motor impedance, lubrication issues, and potential failures due to high temperatures, which can result in decreased efficiency and operational risks.

Innovation Solution

An air compressor system with a control unit that detects temperature and adjusts the driving current of the motor unit to reduce load and prevent overheating, using temperature detecting units to manage the motor's operation and maintain efficient cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the output of the motor unit is reduced during high temperature to reduce the load, then the temperature rise is suppressed, but the rotational speed of the axial flow fan is lowered which deteriorates the heat dissipation property

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature rise suppressionVSAvoidaxial flow fan rotational speed
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit independently adjusts the motor unit's output parameter (driving current) and the axial flow fan's speed parameter (rotational speed) based on temperature detection. When temperature exceeds the threshold, the motor output is reduced while the fan speed is maintained or increased, allowing decoupled optimization of both parameters rather than their coupled reduction in conventional systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs temperature feedback through the temperature detection unit that continuously monitors the motor unit's temperature and provides signals to the control unit. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of both motor output and fan speed based on real-time temperature conditions, ensuring the fan maintains sufficient rotational speed for effective cooling even when motor output is reduced

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the motor unit operates at full output, then productivity is maintained, but excessive temperature rise occurs causing increased impedance and lubrication failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressed air generation efficiencyVSAvoidmotor unit and bearing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the motor unit's output based on real-time temperature conditions detected by the temperature detection unit. The control unit modulates the driving current to the motor unit, enabling the system to operate at full power when temperatures are normal and automatically reduce output when temperature thresholds are exceeded, creating a dynamic operating regime that adapts to thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature detection unit continuously monitors temperature before critical failure occurs, and the control unit takes preliminary corrective action by reducing motor output and/or increasing fan speed before temperature reaches dangerous levels. This preventive approach stops temperature rise before it causes impedance increase, lubrication failure, or bearing damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 system effectively suppresses temperature rises in the air compressor and its components, minimizing output reduction and maintaining operation while preventing failures, thus enhancing work efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of the driving current generating unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

the control unit lowers the driving current of the motor unit when the temperature detecting unit detects that the temperature of the driving current generating unit is high

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating reduction: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

the flow of the cooling air (air cooling) caused by an axial flow fan (a blower)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection cooling: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3128172B1Air compressor
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 MAX CO LTD
  • EP3128172B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3128172B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3128172B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air compressor includes a tank unit, a compressed air generating unit, a motor unit, a driving current generating unit, a control unit and a temperature detecting unit. The tank unit stores a compressed air. The compressed air generating unit generates the compressed air to be stored in the tank unit. The motor unit drives the compressed air generating unit. The driving current generating unit generates a driving current of the motor unit. The control unit drives the motor unit by controlling the driving current generating unit. The temperature detecting unit detects a temperature of the driving current generating unit. The control unit changes the driving current of the motor unit by controlling the driving current generating unit based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit.