H-Bridge Motor Control Sharing Switching Elements

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric arrangements for controlling two electric motors require a total of at least eight switching elements, which increases production costs, weight, and occupies valuable structural space.

Innovation Solution

The electric arrangement connects the second electric motor to the first half-bridge, allowing it to share switching elements with the first electric motor, reducing the total number of switching elements required to six, enabling independent control of both motors while minimizing costs and space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two separate H-bridge arrangements are provided for controlling two electric motors, then independent control of both motors is achieved, but the number of switching elements increases to at least eight, increasing production costs, weight, and structural space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of switching elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the H-bridge arrangements by having the first half-bridge serve dual purposes: it controls the first electric motor when connected via the first and second motor contacts, and controls the second electric motor when connected via the third and fourth motor contacts. This sharing of the first half-bridge reduces the total switching element count from eight to six while preserving independent control capability through selective connection configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first half-bridge is designed with universal functionality to control either the first or second electric motor. By providing multiple connection paths (first/third motor contacts and second/fourth motor contacts), the same half-bridge structure can be dynamically assigned to different motors based on control requirements, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated switching elements for each motor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate H-bridge arrangements are provided for controlling two electric motors, then independent control of both motors is achieved, but production costs and weight increase due to requiring at least eight switching elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the H-bridge arrangements by having the first half-bridge serve dual purposes: it controls the first electric motor when connected via the first and second motor contacts, and controls the second electric motor when connected via the third and fourth motor contacts. This sharing of the first half-bridge reduces the total switching element count from eight to six while preserving independent control capability through selective connection configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first half-bridge is designed with universal functionality to control either the first or second electric motor. By providing multiple connection paths (first/third motor contacts and second/fourth motor contacts), the same half-bridge structure can be dynamically assigned to different motors based on control requirements, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated switching elements for each motor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If two separate H-bridge arrangements are provided for controlling two electric motors, then independent control of both motors is achieved, but valuable structural space is occupied due to requiring at least eight switching elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidstructural space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the H-bridge arrangements by having the first half-bridge serve dual purposes: it controls the first electric motor when connected via the first and second motor contacts, and controls the second electric motor when connected via the third and fourth motor contacts. This sharing of the first half-bridge reduces the total switching element count from eight to six while preserving independent control capability through selective connection configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first half-bridge is designed with universal functionality to control either the first or second electric motor. By providing multiple connection paths (first/third motor contacts and second/fourth motor contacts), the same half-bridge structure can be dynamically assigned to different motors based on control requirements, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated switching elements for each motor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10090785B2Electric arrangement and method for controlling of at least two electric motors

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An electric arrangement which, for controlling at least two electric motors, has at least one first H-bridge arrangement and a second H-bridge arrangement, is provided. The electric arrangement comprises a first electric motor, which is electrically connected to a first switching element, a second switching element, a third switching element and a fourth switching element in the first H-bridge arrangement. The electric arrangement furthermore comprises a second electric motor, which is arranged in a second bridge branch of the second H-bridge arrangement) and is connected to a third half-bridge via a third motor contact, wherein the third half-bridge comprises a fifth switching element and a sixth switching element.