Fluid apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid apparatuses with rechargeable batteries face issues of disrupted cell balance and unnecessary power consumption when changing motor rotation speeds, leading to reduced battery life and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a current limiting device and a microcomputer-controlled system that allows for efficient switching between normal and high-speed motor operation, limiting high-speed rotation to only when necessary, thereby minimizing power consumption and maintaining cell balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the number of battery cells is changed to change motor rotation speed, then the motor speed can be adjusted, but the cell balance among battery cells becomes disrupted and battery deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor rotation speedVSAvoidbattery cell balance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical connection configuration (series/parallel arrangement) of battery cells to change motor rotation speed while maintaining cell balance. Instead of physically changing the number of cells, the system reconfigures the electrical parameters of the existing cell array to provide different voltage levels appropriate for each operating mode, thereby avoiding disruption to cell balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic reconfiguration system where the electrical connection of battery cells can be switched between different configurations (series for high speed, parallel for low speed) based on operational requirements. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt its electrical parameters without permanently altering the cell structure, maintaining reliability while enabling speed variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the motor is set to high-speed rotation, then the suction or discharge amount increases, but the motor continues rotating at high speed even when unnecessary, causing unnecessary power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction or discharge amountVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed control where the motor rotation speed is adjusted in real-time based on actual operational needs. The system can switch between high-speed configuration (series connection for maximum suction/discharge) and low-speed configuration (parallel connection for normal operation), ensuring the motor operates at high speed only when necessary and reducing power consumption during normal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the battery cell array (voltage and current characteristics) to match the required motor speed. By reconfiguring the cell connections, the system provides appropriate voltage levels that naturally limit motor speed without requiring additional control mechanisms, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption when high-speed operation is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 extends the usable time of the fluid apparatus by reducing power consumption and preventing battery deterioration, while allowing for flexible control of suction or discharge amounts based on user input.

Implementation Method 1

a rechargeable battery and configured to drive a motor as a power source of the fluid apparatus by supplying power to the motor from the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

a power line for supplying electric power from each connecting point between each two of a plurality of cells constituting the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

drive a motor as a power source of the fluid apparatus by supplying power to the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2659824B1Fluid apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 MAKITA CORP
  • EP2659824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2659824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2659824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a fluid apparatus that includes a fan (15) configured to suction or discharge a gas; a motor (16) configured to drive the fan (15); a battery (26) configured to supply electric power to the motor (16); a current limiting device (32) provided on an electrical conduction path from the battery (26) to the motor (16); a first drive device (40) configured to, when receiving a first drive command from outside, flow a first drive current to the motor (16) through the current limiting device (32), to thereby cause normal rotation of the motor (16); and a second drive device (40) configured to, while a second drive command is being inputted, flow a second drive current, which is larger than the first drive current, from the battery (26) to the motor (16), to thereby cause high speed rotation of the motor (16).