Drive System Thermal Monitoring via Shared H-Bridge Resistors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive systems for single-phase synchronous motors require additional electronics and space for thermal monitoring, increasing costs and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A drive system that uses a control unit to evaluate engine currents via measuring resistors, allowing for thermal monitoring of multiple single-phase synchronous motors with reduced electronic and circuit technology, thereby minimizing costs, space requirements, energy consumption, and waste heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate thermal monitoring electronics are provided for each single-phase synchronous motor, then thermal monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidelectronic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines thermal monitoring functionality for multiple motors into a single integrated control unit. The control unit receives current signals from multiple measuring resistors (first measuring resistor for first motor, second measuring resistor for second motor) and performs thermal monitoring for both motors through unified processing logic, eliminating the need for separate monitoring electronics for each motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed with universal thermal monitoring capability that can handle multiple motors simultaneously. It processes current measurements from different motors through a single interface and applies thermal monitoring algorithms that work across multiple motor types, making the monitoring system adaptable and multi-functional rather than requiring dedicated hardware per motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If separate thermal monitoring systems are used for multiple motors, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but space requirements and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal monitoring accuracyVSAvoidelectronic space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple thermal monitoring functions into a single control unit, consolidating the electronic space required for monitoring. Instead of having separate monitoring circuits for each motor, the control unit integrates all monitoring functions in one location, significantly reducing the total area occupied by monitoring electronics in the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If frequency converters are used to control synchronous motors, then motor control precision is improved, but manufacturing costs and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor control precisionVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential control functionality from complex frequency converters and implements it through simplified H-bridge circuits with basic control units. The system uses measuring resistors to obtain current information and a straightforward control algorithm to achieve adequate motor control without requiring full-featured frequency converters, thereby reducing complexity and cost while maintaining sufficient operational precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 proposed solution enables efficient thermal monitoring of multiple single-phase synchronous motors with lower electronic complexity, reducing manufacturing costs, space requirements, energy consumption, and waste heat while maintaining reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a first half-bridge with a first measuring resistor and a second half-bridge with a second measuring resistor, and having a control unit which is designed to evaluate the currents of the first measuring resistor and the second measuring resistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOhm's Law: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP4142146B1Drive system
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4142146B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4142146B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive system (1) with at least one first motor (M1), with at least one first H-bridge (15) configured to operate the first motor (M1), wherein the first H-bridge (15) has a first half-bridge (12) with a first measuring resistor (R1) and a second half-bridge (13) with a second measuring resistor (R2), and with a control unit (17) configured to evaluate the currents of the first measuring resistor (R1) and the second measuring resistor (R2) with regard to a thermal load of the first motor (M1).The drive system (1) is characterized by at least one second motor (M2) and at least one second H-bridge (16) which is configured to operate the second motor (M2), wherein the second H-bridge (16) comprises the second half-bridge (13) with the second measuring resistor (R2) and a third half-bridge (14) with a third measuring resistor (R3), wherein the control unit (17) is further configured to evaluate the currents of the second measuring resistor (R2) and the third measuring resistor (R3) with regard to a thermal load of the second motor (M2).