Frequency-Multiplexed Drive Control Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In drive control systems where multiple motors are connected to a single power supply, existing power line communication (PLC) techniques require individual addresses for each motor, leading to time-consuming address analysis and the need for frequency discriminators, making it difficult to downsize the system and achieve quick operation, especially in applications like robots and vehicle equipment.

Innovation Solution

A drive control apparatus that uses a magnetic field response element with varying impedance to detect frequency-multiplexed control signals, allowing for the detection of specific control signals and reducing the system size by eliminating the need for individual address analysis and frequency discriminators, while also reducing power consumption through rectangular-wave detection currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual addresses are provided to each motor for PLC control, then communication capability is improved, but response time deteriorates due to address analysis requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Each motor is assigned a specific detection frequency as its unique identifier instead of a general address. The frequency discriminator locally tuned to this specific frequency can immediately identify and respond to control signals without needing to analyze addresses, thus maintaining communication capability while improving response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The identification method is changed from time-division multiplexing with address codes to frequency-division multiplexing with detection frequencies. By changing the parameter used for identification (from address to frequency), the system eliminates the address analysis step and achieves faster response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If frequency discriminators are provided for each device in a frequency multiplexing system, then control signal detection is improved, but system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signal detectionVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A single frequency discriminator is designed to handle multiple detection frequencies instead of requiring one discriminator per device. This universal discriminator can be tuned to detect control signals for multiple motors by switching between different detection frequencies, reducing the overall system size while maintaining precise control signal detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple frequency discrimination functions are merged into a single device. Instead of having separate frequency discriminators for each motor, one frequency discriminator is combined with the ability to detect multiple frequencies, thereby reducing component count and system size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If ring-shaped cores are used for coupling elements to draw information from PLC, then information reception is improved, but physical volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation receptionVSAvoidphysical volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The essential function of the ring-shaped core (magnetic coupling for information reception) is extracted and implemented using a smaller magnetic element. Instead of using a large ring-shaped core, a compact magnetic element with equivalent or superior coupling capability is employed, maintaining information reception while reducing physical volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical ring-shaped core structure is replaced with a more compact magnetic element design. This substitution maintains the magnetic coupling function for PLC information reception but achieves it with significantly reduced physical dimensions, enabling system downsizing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution enables efficient detection and control of multiple devices on a single power line, reducing system size and power consumption, and allowing for rapid operation of drive control signals, thereby addressing the challenges of address analysis and system downsizing in PLC-based drive control systems.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field response element in which the detection current flows, an impedance of the magnetic field response element varying in response to a magnetic field generated around the electric wire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field response: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10411758B2Drive control apparatus that receives power and a plurality of frequency-multiplexed control signals

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 OSAKA CITY UNIV

AI summary

According to an aspect of the present invention, a drive control system is provided that includes a transmitting apparatus and a plurality of drive control apparatuses and drives and controls a plurality of devices to be controlled, wherein the transmitting apparatus includes: a control information addition apparatus that frequency-multiplexes a plurality of control signals, and an electric wire that supplies power and the plurality of control signals to the plurality of drive control apparatuses.