Motor Apparatus for Electric Switch Drive with Adaptive Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical switches for medium and high voltage applications require complex and costly motor drives with numerous component and wiring variants, leading to increased production costs and error rates due to diverse supply voltages and voltage forms.
Innovation Solution
A motor device with a brushless electric motor and electronic control unit that includes a rectifier unit for AC and DC voltage management, a switching unit for generating DC drive voltage, and a control unit for adaptive operation, allowing the motor to function with direct current and adapt to various supply voltages, reducing the need for multiple motor variants and simplifying assembly and wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different motor types and designs are used for different supply voltages and voltage forms, then the motor device can be adapted to various electrical standards and applications, but the component and wiring variance increases the cost and error rate of motor installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal motor device design that can operate with different supply voltages (single-phase AC, three-phase AC, and DC) by using a single motor type with an integrated electronic control device. The control device includes a rectifier unit that can process both AC and DC inputs, and a switching unit that generates appropriate drive signals for the motor regardless of the input voltage type, thereby eliminating the need for multiple motor variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control device dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on the detected supply voltage characteristics. The control unit detects the type of supply voltage and configures the rectifier and switching units accordingly, changing the electrical parameters internally to maintain optimal motor performance across different voltage inputs without requiring physical hardware changes.
2Reliability
If multiple motor variants are used for different switches, then specific optimization for each application is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single motor variant with a highly adaptable electronic control device that can be applied across different switch types (circuit breakers, disconnectors, etc.). The control device's ability to detect and adapt to various supply voltage configurations allows this universal motor design to meet the specific requirements of different applications without requiring custom motor designs for each switch type.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating physically different motor designs for each application, the patent uses a standardized motor platform with software-based adaptation through the electronic control device. The control unit contains configurable parameters and detection algorithms that effectively 'copy' the behavior of application-specific motor designs through electronic configuration rather than physical customization.
3Extent of automation
If complex control and protection functions are implemented through multiple components, then comprehensive motor management is achieved, but the wiring complexity and installation error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple control and protection functions into a single electronic control device that directly interfaces with the motor. The control device combines the rectifier unit, voltage detection, switching control, and protection functions in one integrated module, eliminating the need for separate components and complex wiring arrangements. This consolidation maintains comprehensive motor management while significantly simplifying the installation and wiring requirements.
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 operation across different supply voltages and voltage forms, reducing production costs and error rates by standardizing the motor device for various electrical switches, including circuit breakers and disconnectors, while ensuring reliable operation and monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a rectifier unit for rectifying a supply voltage of the motor device if the supply voltage is an AC voltage
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor and a control device for controlling the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor apparatus (12) for a switch drive (10) of an electric switch, having an electric motor (14) and a control apparatus (16) for controlling the electric motor (14), the control apparatus (16) having: a rectifier unit (34) for rectifying a supply voltage (U0) of the motor apparatus (12), if the supply voltage (U0) is an alternating voltage, and for reverse polarity protection if the supply voltage (U0) is a direct voltage, a voltage measurement unit (36) for detecting the supply voltage (U0) or a rectifier output voltage of the rectifier unit (34), a switch unit (38, 62) for generating a drive voltage (Uou) for the electric motor (14) from the supply voltage (U0) or from the rectifier output voltage and a control unit (44) for controlling the switch unit (36, 62) as a function of the supply or rectifier output voltage (U0, Ui) detected. According to the invention, the electric motor (14) is an electric motor (14) which is operable by direct current and the switch unit (38, 62) is a switch unit (38, 62) for generating a drive direct voltage (Uou) for said electric motor (14) which is operable by direct current. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.