Covering Apparatus Motor Position Control via Current Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor covering apparatuses face issues with unreliable control of operating positions and failure to detect obstacles, leading to incorrect positioning and safety concerns due to varying motor loads and current absorption patterns.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs an electronic control unit with a current sensor and acquisition module to monitor the electric motor's current intensity and position, using this data to calculate the actual position of the blades and detect obstacles by comparing against a reference curve, ensuring precise control and obstacle recognition without the need for additional position sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the control unit uses predefined time intervals to control motor operation, then the control system remains simple, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the actual current absorption of the motor during operation and compares it with reference current values stored in memory. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the motor operation in real-time to achieve precise positioning despite load variations, friction phenomena, or obstacles. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple hardware while achieving high positioning accuracy through intelligent control.
2Device complexity
If the motor operates at fixed speed, then the control system is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to unpredictable current absorption variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the actual current absorption curve during motor operation and compares it with stored reference curves. This feedback allows the system to identify dangerous situations and obstacles reliably, even when current absorption varies unpredictably due to load changes or friction. The reference curves serve as benchmarks for detecting abnormal conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple control and reliable safety monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit stores reference current values and reference curves in memory before operation begins. These pre-stored references represent normal operating conditions and are used to detect deviations during actual operation. By preparing reference data in advance, the system can reliably identify obstacles and safety issues without complex real-time analysis, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system uses additional position sensors to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning control improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical position sensors with an electrical measurement approach. Instead of using additional mechanical sensors to detect blade position, the control unit infers position information from the motor's current absorption characteristics. By measuring electrical parameters (current) and comparing them with reference values, the system achieves precise positioning control without adding mechanical complexity, resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and device simplicity.
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
This solution provides reliable control of the covering blades' positions and detects obstacles, ensuring accurate operation and enhanced safety by adapting to variations in motor load and behavior over time, thus preventing damage and ensuring user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a current sensor (30) operatively connected to the electric motor (25) in order to detect electrical measurements indicative of the intensity of current absorbed by the electric motor (25) itself in each operating travel
Data Source
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AI summary
Covering apparatus (1) which comprises a plurality of covering blades (10), and movement means (12) operatively connected to the covering blades (10) in order to actuate the movement thereof. Such movement means (12) comprise at least one electric motor (25) mechanically connected to the covering blades (10), and an electronic control unit (26) operatively connected to the electric motor (25) in order to control the operation thereof. More in detail, the electronic control unit (26) comprises: an acquisition module (29) operatively connected to the electric motor (25) and configured for acquiring first values of a first operating electrical parameter (i(t)) of the electric motor (25) in at least one operating travel of the covering blades (10); a processing module (32) configured for calculating, as a function of the first values of the first operating electrical parameter (i(t)), corresponding values of a position parameter (xP) indicative of corresponding operating positions of the covering blades (10) in the operating travel; a control module (33) operatively connected to the electric motor (25) in order to send, to the latter, a drive signal as a function of the aforesaid position parameter (xP).