Drive System Operating State Estimation via Electrical Distribution Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive systems lack a reliable method for estimating their operating state, particularly in terms of wear, maintenance needs, and mechanical malfunctions, which can lead to unforeseen failures and costly repairs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an electric motor and mechanical unit that uses defined electrical properties to generate a distribution function by measuring movement properties, allowing for the estimation of the system's operating state by comparing reference and actual distribution functions to determine maintenance requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no monitoring method is implemented, then the drive system operates without intervention, but unforeseen failures occur leading to costly repairs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating state estimationVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system performs self-diagnosis by using its own existing sensors and control unit to generate distribution functions and estimate its operating state. The system monitors itself without requiring external monitoring equipment, thereby improving reliability while avoiding additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring devices with a software-based evaluation method. The control unit uses electrical properties and movement properties to generate distribution functions and estimate operating states through algorithmic processing, substituting physical monitoring hardware with computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive monitoring is implemented, then maintenance needs can be identified, but the system requires complex measurement and evaluation infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating state detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the electric motor, acquires electrical properties, determines movement properties, generates distribution functions, and estimates operating states. This multi-functionality allows precise monitoring without adding separate dedicated monitoring hardware, thereby maintaining measurement precision while minimizing system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors changes in electrical properties (current, torque) and movement properties (position, speed, acceleration) over time by generating distribution functions at different time points. This parameter-based approach enables precise detection of operating state changes without requiring complex physical measurement infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the drive system operates without state estimation, then the system is simpler to operate, but mechanical malfunctions and wear cannot be detected until failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure prediction capabilityVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously acquires electrical properties, determines movement properties, generates distribution functions, and estimates operating states to provide feedback on the drive system's condition. This feedback mechanism enables failure prediction while maintaining operational simplicity, as the entire process is automated within the existing control unit without requiring manual intervention or complex user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3648337B1Method of estimating an operating state of a drive system and drive system
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH
  • EP3648337B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Method of estimating an operating state of a drive system, - wherein the drive system comprises: - an electric motor, and - a mechanical unit being moved by the electric motor, - wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) operating the electric motor using electrical properties, b) determining movement properties regarding the movement of the mechanical unit using the electrical properties, c) repeating steps a) and b) for a number of times using changed electrical properties, d) generating a distribution function (F1 to F3), wherein the distribution function (F1 to F3) allocates electrical properties to the resulting movement properties, and e) estimating the operating state in response to the generated distribution function (F1 to F3).