Modular Central Unit for Electric Motors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing central units for remotely powering and controlling electric motors are oversized for lower current loads, leading to space wastage and increased costs, and manual disconnector maneuvers are less precise and controlled compared to drive unit operations.

Innovation Solution

A modular central unit design where the drive unit and disconnector are removably connected, allowing a single drive unit to be used with both clamped and plug/socket disconnectors, enabling precise control without manual drawer displacement, and standardizing production across different current ratings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single standardized drive unit design is used for both clamped and plug/socket disconnectors, then production costs are reduced and manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for universal compatibility mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction standardizationVSAvoiduniversal compatibility mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is designed with a universal interface system that can accommodate both clamped disconnectors and plug/socket disconnectors through standardized connection mechanisms. The housing includes adaptable mounting structures and connection elements that provide multi-functionality, allowing the same drive unit to operate with different disconnector types without requiring separate specialized designs for each application.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drive unit and disconnector are removably connected, then adaptability to different current ratings is improved and space utilization is optimized, but the connection reliability may be reduced due to removable interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent rating compatibilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is divided into separable modules including a removable housing portion that can be detached and reattached to different disconnector types. This segmentation allows the same drive unit to be adapted to various current ratings by simply replacing or reconfiguring the housing module, while maintaining reliable electrical connections through standardized interface designs with proper contact mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If manual drawer displacement is used for disconnector operations, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and control accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation mechanismVSAvoiddisconnector operation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manual drawer displacement mechanism is replaced with a drive unit that provides controlled actuation of the disconnector through standardized mechanical interfaces. The drive unit incorporates precision positioning mechanisms and controlled movement systems that replace the crude manual drawer displacement, enabling precise and repeatable disconnector operations while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through modular design.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3841644B1Modular central unit for powering and controlling electric motors remotely
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 LAFER SPA
  • EP3841644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3841644B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3841644B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention is a central unit (100; 200) for powering and controlling electric motors remotely, comprising: a disconnector (102; 202), a switch (104; 204) and a drive unit (105; 205) for the switch (104; 204) and for the disconnector (102; 202). The disconnector (102; 202) and the drive unit (105; 205) are distinct from each other, independent and removably connected through a connection unit (110; 210) comprising: a shaped housing (111; 211) belonging to the drive unit (105; 205), a shaped projection (112; 212) belonging to the disconnector (102; 202) and accommodated in the shaped housing (111; 211), and a shaped insert (113; 213) that is introduced in the shaped housing (111; 211) in contact with the shaped projection (112; 212) when it is accommodated in the shaped housing (111; 211). Counteracting means (114; 214) and locking means (115; 215) constrain the shaped projection (112; 212) in the shaped housing (111; 211) through the shaped insert (113; 213).