Extractor Hood Motor Control for Adaptive Installation Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Extractor hood operating points vary significantly based on installation conditions due to fixed torque-speed characteristics of asynchronous motors, making it difficult for manufacturers to determine optimal operating states without specific customer installation data.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using an electronically commutated synchronous motor with a control device that adjusts torque-speed characteristics based on measured parameters like current consumption, allowing for flexible control of delivery volume and pressure difference, and determining the operating state as a torque/speed value pair to adapt to different installation scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If asynchronous motors with fixed torque-speed characteristics are used, then cost-effective design is achieved, but the operating point varies significantly based on installation conditions making it difficult to determine optimal operating states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-effective designVSAvoidadaptability to different installation conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed torque-speed characteristics to dynamically adjustable characteristics. The control device modifies the torque-speed curve in real-time based on measured operating parameters (current consumption, speed, torque), enabling the motor to adapt to different installation conditions such as recirculation or exhaust modes, duct lengths, and filter states while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying motor operating parameters (current, speed, torque) through electronic control. The control device adjusts these parameters dynamically based on measured values and pre-stored characteristic curves, allowing the same motor to operate optimally across various installation scenarios without requiring different motor designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If torque-speed characteristic is predetermined by motor design, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the operating state cannot be optimized for different customer installation situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor design simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to installation scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/fixed torque-speed characteristic determination with an electronic control system. Instead of designing different motors for different applications, the system uses electronic commutation and control algorithms to generate different torque-speed characteristics software-defined, maintaining simple motor hardware while achieving high adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by designing a single motor platform that can perform multiple functions across different installation scenarios. The control device stores multiple torque-speed characteristic curves and selects/apples the appropriate curve based on detected operating conditions, making one motor design suitable for recirculation modes, exhaust modes, various duct configurations, and filter states.

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

3Ease of operation

If manual determination of operating state is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but real-time adaptation to changing conditions cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidautomatic real-time adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring motor operating parameters (current consumption, speed, torque) and using these measurements to automatically determine the operating state. The control device compares measured values against pre-stored characteristic curves and adjusts the torque-speed characteristic in real-time, enabling automatic adaptation without manual intervention while keeping the system relatively simple through standardized measurement and control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach enables the extractor hood to automatically adjust its operation to match varying installation conditions, ensuring optimal performance and user satisfaction regardless of recirculation or exhaust modes, and provides real-time feedback to users.

Implementation Method 1

an electronically commutated synchronous motor with direct current drive, also referred to as a BLDC motor or EC motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Due to the electronic commutation, the present blower motor exhibits a high degree of flexibility with regard to its control options. In particular, the torque-speed characteristic, and thus also a flow rate-pressure differential characteristic of the extractor hood assembly, is freely selectable and adaptable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectronic commutation:

Implementation Method 3

the method detects at least one operating parameter or a change in at least one operating parameter of the fan motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical measurement: Ohmmeter

Data Source

PatentEP2971978B1Method for determining an operating state of an extractor hood assembly
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2971978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2971978B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2971978B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining an operating state (p, Q, UB, AB) of an extractor hood assembly (1) comprising an extractor hood (2), the operating state (p, Q, UB, AB) being determined (905) as a function of at least one parameter (M, n, W) of a blower motor (14) of the extractor hood (2).