Linear Motor with Cycloidal Drive for Compact Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motors for switching applications require significant installation space and high power consumption due to the need for strong electromagnets and mechanical springs to ensure reliable switching, and they often require additional gear for torque reduction, leading to increased complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A compact electric motor design featuring a linearly guided rotor with a bolt ring and cycloidal disk, which eliminates the need for an eccentric and reduces installation space by using a transverse movement mechanism to achieve high torque without additional gear, and incorporates a microprocessor for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a relay with strong electromagnet and mechanical spring is used to ensure reliable switching, then switching reliability is improved, but installation space and power requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical relay system (electromagnet + spring) with an electric motor-driven switching mechanism. The motor drives a spindle that moves the switch contacts, eliminating the need for strong mechanical springs and large electromagnets, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining switching reliability through controlled motor operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical relay system (electromagnet + spring) with an electric motor-driven switching mechanism. The motor drives a spindle that moves the switch contacts, eliminating the need for strong mechanical springs and large electromagnets, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining switching reliability through controlled motor operation.

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

2Force

If an electric motor with high current is used to apply high forces, then force output is improved, but power consumption and energizing effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce outputVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action by using pulse-width modulation (PWM) to control the motor's power input. Instead of continuous high current, the motor receives periodic pulses of electrical energy, which reduces average power consumption while maintaining the necessary force output through controlled intermittent operation cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the electrical current parameters (voltage, current, frequency) to the motor based on operational requirements. Through PWM control, the motor operates at optimized current levels that provide sufficient force while minimizing power consumption, avoiding the need for continuously high current operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If an electric motor with high speed is used, then response time is improved, but friction increases and additional reduction gear is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor speedVSAvoidreduction gear
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the motor's rotor to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the rotating component for high-speed operation and as the drive mechanism for the switching spindle through magnetic coupling. This eliminates the need for separate reduction gear, as the rotor's direct magnetic interaction with the stator provides both speed and torque control in a single integrated component.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the motor rotor with the switching drive mechanism. The rotor's rotational movement is directly coupled to the spindle that actuates the switch contacts, combining the high-speed rotation function and the switching actuation function into a single integrated system, thereby eliminating the need for additional reduction gear components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Force

If reduction gear is added to a high-speed motor, then torque is improved, but installation space and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetorqueVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the motor's rotor to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the rotating component for high-speed operation and as the drive mechanism for the switching spindle through magnetic coupling. This eliminates the need for separate reduction gear, as the rotor's direct magnetic interaction with the stator provides both speed and torque control in a single integrated component.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the motor rotor with the switching drive mechanism. The rotor's rotational movement is directly coupled to the spindle that actuates the switch contacts, combining the high-speed rotation function and the switching actuation function into a single integrated system, thereby eliminating the need for additional reduction gear components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design reduces installation space, production costs, and power consumption while providing precise positioning and high torque, with a robust and efficient motor suitable for integration with printed circuit boards.

Implementation Method 1

the stator (19) is stationary with respect to a component driven by the electric motor (12). The rotor (30), on the other hand, is linearly guided with respect to the stator (19)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

A cycloidal disk (52), which is advantageously rotatably mounted, for example by means of a ball bearing or a plain bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCycloidal motion:

Data Source

PatentEP3091645B1Electric motor and electric circuit
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 ELLENBERGER & POENSGEN GMBH
  • EP3091645B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3091645B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3091645B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric motor (12), in particular a printed circuit board, with a stator (19) and a linearly guided rotor (30). A bolt ring with a number of bolts is attached to the rotor (30). A cycloidal disk engages with the bolt ring. The invention further relates to an electrical circuit with a printed circuit board and an electric motor (12) attached to the printed circuit board.