Dynamic Motor Drive for Battery Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-operated devices with standard motor drive circuits face issues such as premature device resets due to voltage drops caused by aging batteries and low temperatures, leading to reduced battery life and unpredictable remaining charge, resulting in loss of critical process data.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic motor drive system that monitors available power and adjusts motor speed based on battery voltage, reducing power consumption by converting bulk motor movements into smaller block movements to maintain optimal operation and extend battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a standard motor drive circuit is used to rotate the motor at a fixed rotational speed, then the motor receives a fixed level of power, but the device voltage level drops and the device runs the risk of resetting when the battery becomes depleted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor rotational speedVSAvoiddevice reset risk
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The motor drive circuit transitions from a fixed-speed operation to a variable-speed operation based on battery voltage levels. The controller dynamically adjusts the motor rotational speed according to available power, reducing speed when voltage drops to prevent device resetting, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining motor speed and preventing resets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of the motor based on battery voltage conditions. When voltage drops below a threshold, the controller modifies the motor drive parameters (reducing power delivery and rotational speed) to maintain operation within safe voltage margins, preventing device resets while still providing useful motor function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the motor runs continuously at full power, then the motor performs its function effectively, but the battery depletes faster and the device may reset

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor function performanceVSAvoidbattery runtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously at full power. The controller monitors battery voltage and periodically adjusts motor operation, reducing or pausing motor function when voltage drops to maintain operation throughout battery depletion, thereby extending effective battery runtime while still providing periodic motor functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial motor action when battery voltage is low rather than attempting full-power continuous operation. By providing reduced motor function (partial action) during low-voltage conditions, the system extends the overall duration of useful motor operation throughout the battery's lifespan, maximizing total productivity across the entire battery runtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Duration of action of moving object

If the motor speed is reduced to conserve battery power, then battery runtime is extended, but the motor's ability to perform its function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery runtimeVSAvoidmotor function effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor drive system dynamically adapts its performance characteristics based on real-time battery voltage conditions. Rather than a fixed reduction in motor speed, the controller continuously adjusts motor parameters to optimize the balance between runtime extension and functional effectiveness, maintaining adequate motor performance throughout the extended battery lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring battery voltage and adjusting motor operation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that motor speed and power delivery are optimized at each voltage level, maintaining sufficient motor function effectiveness while maximizing battery runtime through intelligent, real-time parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3417527B1Dynamic motor drive for battery operated devices
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 ROSEMOUNT INC
  • EP3417527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3417527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3417527B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery powered device (200) includes a battery (212) and a motor controller (202) that is coupled to the battery (212). A motor (204) is operably coupled to the motor controller (202). The motor controller (202) is configured to detect an amount of available power from the battery (212) and engage the motor (204) based on the amount of available power.