ESC Throttle Signal Redundancy via Communication Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft electronic speed control systems face issues with throttle control signal abnormalities due to damaged wirings, leading to potential flight accidents, as they fail to maintain proper motor rotation control.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual-channel system between the electronic speed control and the controller, where a throttle channel transmits PWM or PPM signals and a communication channel transmits data, with real-time monitoring to detect signal abnormalities and switch to the communication channel for signal reception when issues occur, ensuring continuous motor control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single throttle control line is used to transmit control signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential signal loss or abnormalities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrottle control signal transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddual-channel system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single throttle control line is segmented into two separate channels: a primary throttle control line and a secondary communication line. This segmentation allows the system to transmit throttle control signals through multiple independent paths, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely new system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of the throttle control signal characteristics (frequency, pulse width) to detect abnormalities before they lead to control failure. When abnormalities are detected, the system proactively switches to the secondary communication line, preventing signal loss rather than reacting after failure occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If real-time monitoring of signal characteristics is implemented, then the reliability is improved through early abnormality detection, but the use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal abnormality detection capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption for signal monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback monitoring by continuously measuring the frequency and pulse width of incoming throttle control signals and comparing them against expected ranges. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection of signal abnormalities and triggers switching to the secondary channel when deviations are detected, improving reliability through intelligent monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic speed control unit performs self-diagnosis by autonomously monitoring its own received signals and automatically switching between communication channels when abnormalities are detected, without requiring external intervention or additional monitoring hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the throttle control signal is transmitted only through the throttle control line, then the device complexity is minimized, but the reliability deteriorates when wiring damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signal transmission continuityVSAvoiddual-channel transmission system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication line, originally designed for general data communication, is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry throttle control signals as a secondary channel. This allows the same physical infrastructure to serve both communication purposes and backup control signal transmission, reducing the need for additional dedicated hardware.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the microcontroller unit as an intermediary that can receive and process throttle control signals from either the primary throttle control line or the secondary communication line. This intermediary component enables flexible signal routing and channel switching without requiring complex hardware reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3812279B1Method for processing a throttle control signal and electronic speed control
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 SZ DJI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3812279B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3812279B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3812279B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A method for processing throttle control signal being adapted to an electronic speed control (1) which is arranged with a throttle signal interface (12) for receiving a throttle control signal and a communication interface (13) for transmitting communication data, the method including: monitoring a signal transmission state for the throttle signal interface (12) in real time; and receiving the throttle control signal via the communication interface (13) if the signal transmission state of the throttle signal interface(12) is an abnormal state. The method for processing throttle control signal, electronic speed control, controller and mobile platform provided in embodiments of this disclosure monitors signal transmission state for the throttle signal interface (12) in real time, and receives the throttle control signal via the communication interface (13) when the signal transmission state of the throttle signal interface (12) is an abnormal state, thereby allowing the electronic speed control to continue controlling a motor to rotate normally, preventing the aircraft from losing control over its frame arm dynamics, ensuring the normal operation for, and improving the reliability of, the aircraft.