Frequency Inverter Adapter for Motor Housing Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing frequency converter systems for electric motors lack flexibility when needing to be adapted for use with different motor housings, as they are often specifically designed for a particular motor and do not easily accommodate variations in motor housing configurations.

Innovation Solution

A detachable adapter with a plate-shaped adapter base and a floating circuit carrier allows for secure electrical connections between the frequency converter and motor lines, enabling the frequency converter to be mounted on various motor housings by compensating for tolerance differences through adjustable positioning and sealing, and featuring screw terminal strips and plug strips for efficient connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the frequency converter is specifically designed for a particular motor housing, then the structural integration and electromagnetic interference protection are improved, but the adaptability to different motor housings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidadaptability to different motor housings
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency converter system is segmented into a converter housing unit and a separate adapter unit. The adapter acts as an intermediary component that can be attached to different motor housings, while the converter housing remains a standardized unit. This segmentation allows the converter to maintain its integrated structure while adapting to various motor configurations through different adapters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the motor housing and the converter housing. The adapter includes a circuit carrier with electrical connection elements that interface with both the motor connection lines and the frequency converter. This mediator enables the standardized converter housing to connect to different motor housings without requiring custom integration for each motor type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the circuit carrier is rigidly fixed to the adapter base, then the manufacturing precision and electrical connection reliability are improved, but the tolerance compensation between different components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidtolerance compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit carrier is designed with a floating mounting arrangement on the adapter base, allowing it to move dynamically within certain limits. This dynamic positioning enables the circuit carrier to automatically adjust to tolerance variations in the adapter base and converter housing, ensuring reliable electrical connections without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances across all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting parameters of the circuit carrier are designed to allow positional variation within a defined range. The floating mounting mechanism changes the positional parameters of the circuit carrier relative to the adapter base, enabling tolerance compensation while maintaining proper electrical connections. This approach trades fixed precision for flexible adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2190105B1Frequency inverter for controlling an electric motor
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 KOSTAL INDUSTRIE ELEKTRIK GMBH
  • EP2190105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2190105B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2190105B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a frequency converter for controlling an electric motor with a converter housing designed for mounting on the motor housing, wherein the frequency converter is connected on the input side to at least one mains connection cable leading into the converter housing for connection to the mains supply, and is detachably connectable to the electric motor on the output side via connectors, characterized in that the converter housing is fixed to the motor housing by means of an adapter comprising electrical connection elements which are mechanically connected on one side to the motor housing and on the other side to the converter housing.