Drive Input Circuit Switching for Unused Terminal Potential Hold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices require external wires to maintain the electric potential of unused input terminals, leading to increased costs and potential malfunctions due to incorrect wiring.

Innovation Solution

A drive device with input terminals, an input circuit, a constant electric potential part, and a switching mechanism that allows the device to maintain electric potential without external wires by switching between states to enable or disable signal input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external wires are used to maintain electric potential of unused input terminals, then the electric potential is maintained, but the cost increases and wiring complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric potential maintenanceVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electric potential maintenance function from external wiring and relocates it to internal circuitry. Specifically, a constant potential generation circuit is provided inside the drive device that generates and supplies electric potential to unused input terminals, eliminating the need for external wires or shorting bars while maintaining reliable electric potential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a constant potential generation circuit as an intermediary component between the power supply and unused input terminals. This intermediary circuit automatically maintains electric potential without requiring external wiring intervention, thereby reducing wiring complexity while ensuring reliable electric potential maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If external wires are used to maintain electric potential of unused input terminals, then the electric potential is maintained, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric potential maintenanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electric potential maintenance function from external components (wires, shorting bars) and implements it using internal circuitry. The constant potential generation circuit is integrated into the drive device's main circuit board, eliminating the need for additional external components and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable electric potential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive device provides self-service by generating and maintaining electric potential for unused input terminals through its own internal constant potential generation circuit. This eliminates the need for external assistance (wires, shorting bars) and reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4007170B1Drive device
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4007170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4007170B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4007170B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

a drive device (1) includes an input terminal (EN1, EN2) connectable to a predetermined signal line; an input circuit (240, 241) connected to the input terminal (EN1, EN2) of the drive device (1) to receive a signal input through the input terminal (EN1, EN2); a constant electric potential part (CVS) configured to provide an electric potential that is maintained within the predetermined range; a signal-using part (230) configured to receive an input signal; and a switching part (250) configured to perform switching between a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the constant electric potential part (CVS) is enabled to provide the electric potential as the input signal to the signal-using part (230), and in the second state the input circuit (240, 241) is enabled to provide the signal input through the input terminal (EN1, EN2) as the input signal to the signal-using part (230).