Electric Motor Control System for Utility Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicles with electric motor power systems face challenges in integrating efficient control systems for primary and auxiliary motors, particularly in achieving seamless communication and control between various vehicle systems, sensors, and operator interfaces to ensure safe and versatile operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electric motor control system that includes traction and auxiliary controllers, utilizing sensorless field-oriented control and DC control techniques, along with 3-phase bridge circuits, to manage AC electric auxiliary motors and drivable wheels, ensuring integrated control and fault detection through a common interface and power inverters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate controllers are used for traction and auxiliary systems, then each system can be controlled independently, but the overall system complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate controllers (traction controller and auxiliary controller) into a single integrated controller that manages both primary and auxiliary motors. This integration reduces the number of separate control units, simplifies system architecture, and improves communication efficiency while maintaining the ability to independently control different vehicle systems through unified control logic.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional belt and pulley drive systems are used for auxiliary mechanisms, then mechanical simplicity is maintained, but control precision and operational safety decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical belt and pulley drive systems with electric motor-driven auxiliary mechanisms. This substitution eliminates mechanical linkages, reduces maintenance requirements, and provides precise electronic control over auxiliary functions such as blade engagement and deck elevation, thereby improving both reliability and control precision while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Reliability
If electric motor control systems with multiple sensors and controllers are implemented, then control precision and safety are improved, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensor inputs and control functions into a unified controller architecture that manages both traction and auxiliary systems. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate controllers and communication interfaces while maintaining comprehensive monitoring and control capabilities through centralized processing of sensor data and execution of control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated controller performs multiple functions including traction control, auxiliary motor control, sensor data processing, and safety monitoring within a single control unit. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining the precision and safety requirements through versatile control capabilities that handle various vehicle operations through unified control logic.
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 solution enables improved control and safety features for utility vehicles by integrating traction and auxiliary systems, enhancing operator control and reducing noise and pollution, while optimizing performance and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The first and the second auxiliary controllers may respectively send control signals to a first power inverter and a second power inverter to drive the first and the second AC electric auxiliary motors
Implementation Method 2
The first auxiliary controller includes a 3-phase bridge circuit for driving the AC electric auxiliary motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.