Drive Controller Capacitor Pre-Charging for Motor Startup Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sheet processing apparatuses like printers, the high starting current required for motors increases the cost due to the need for power sources and components with large rated currents to handle this peak demand, leading to potential malfunctions and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A drive controller with a first drive circuit, a capacitance element, and processing parts that charge the capacitance element before power supply to the motor, then supply the stored charge to reduce the initial current draw, using regenerative currents and strategically switching power to manage the motor's startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power source and members with large rated current are selected to handle the starting current, then the motor can start reliably, but the cost of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by charging a capacitor before the motor starts. The control circuit charges the capacitor during a predetermined period before motor startup, so that when the motor starts, the capacitor can immediately supply the large starting current without requiring the power source to have a large rated current. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the energy storage in advance, allowing reliable motor starting while using a lower-cost power source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device between the power source and the motor. The capacitor acts as a mediator that temporarily stores electrical energy and releases it during motor startup. This intermediary component allows the system to deliver high starting current without requiring the main power source to be oversized, thereby reducing apparatus cost while maintaining starting reliability.
2Force
If a large current flows through the load during startup, then the motor can overcome initial resistance, but the power source and members must have large rated current increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary charging of the capacitor before motor startup. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient energy is stored in the capacitor to provide the high current needed for overcoming initial resistance during motor startup, without requiring the power source and other components to be rated for continuously high currents.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor serves as an intermediary that decouples the high starting current requirement from the power source rating. By introducing this energy storage mediator, the system can generate high starting torque when needed while the power source and other components only need to handle normal operating current levels.
3Ease of manufacture
If the starting current is reduced, then the cost of power source and members decreases, but the motor may not start reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by taking preliminary action to charge the capacitor before motor startup. The control circuit monitors the timer signal and charges the capacitor during the predetermined period, ensuring that when the motor needs to start, the capacitor is already charged and can immediately supply the necessary current. This maintains starting reliability while allowing the use of a lower-cost power source with smaller rated current.
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 approach reduces the peak current during motor startup, minimizing the risk of malfunctions and lowering the overall cost of the apparatus by allowing the use of less expensive power sources and components.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitance element connected to a power supply path between the power source and the first drive circuit. The first processing part is configured to apply a charge from the power source and to charge the first capacitance element before power supply to the first load is started
Data Source
AI summary
A drive controller includes a first drive circuit, a first capacitance element and a first processing part and a second processing part. The first drive circuit supplies a current output from a power source to a first load. The first capacitance element is connected to a power supply path between the power source and the first drive circuit. The first processing part is configured to apply a charge from the power source and to charge the first capacitance element before power supply to the first load is started. The second processing part is configured to supply a current output from the power source and a current corresponding to a charge charged in the first capacitance element to the first load through the first drive circuit after the first capacitance element is charged.