Motor Control Board Layout for Compact Cooling in Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor control devices and robot systems lack efficient space-saving designs, leading to suboptimal use of available space and potential cooling inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The motor control device features a configuration with intersecting boards that house electronic components for power conversion and computation processing, allowing for dispersed placement and enhanced cooling efficiency, while utilizing a case with vent holes and blowers for effective air circulation, thereby reducing space requirements and improving cooling performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If electronic components are densely arranged on a single board to reduce device size, then space utilization improves, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient air circulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboard areaVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the circuit board into multiple boards (main circuit board and sub-circuit boards) arranged in a layered structure. This segmentation allows electronic components to be distributed across multiple surfaces and levels, improving air circulation and heat dissipation while maintaining high component density. The multi-board configuration creates channels for air flow between and around the boards, resolving the contradiction between dense arrangement and cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional single-board layout to a three-dimensional multi-board stacked configuration. By utilizing vertical space and creating a layered structure with sub-circuit boards mounted on the main circuit board, the design achieves higher component density without compromising cooling. Air can circulate through the gaps between stacked boards, maintaining thermal management effectiveness while maximizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If multiple separate boards are used to improve cooling efficiency, then air circulation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidboard configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional circuits onto integrated circuit boards that are then mounted together in a compact stacked arrangement. The power conversion circuit, control circuit, and other functional blocks are integrated onto separate boards that are physically combined through standardized mounting. This merging approach maintains the cooling benefits of multiple boards while reducing overall structural complexity through modular integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sub-circuit boards serve multiple functions: they provide electrical connectivity for specific circuit functions, act as heat dissipation surfaces, and create air circulation channels. The standardized mounting structure allows the same board configuration to accommodate different circuit implementations, reducing design complexity while maintaining cooling efficiency across various applications.

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

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 configuration effectively saves space and enhances cooling efficiency, ensuring reliable operation of the motor control device and robot system by optimizing the arrangement and cooling of electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of blowers 51, 52 which generate air currents F1 entering from the front panel 42 toward the rear panel 43

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3480940B1Motor control device and robot system
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP3480940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3480940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3480940B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor control device 1 includes a board 10, a board 20 including electronic components 116 including switching elements 117 for power conversion, disposed along a plane P1 intersecting the board 10, and attached to the board 10, and a board 30 including an electronic component 123 configured to execute computation processing for controlling the electronic components 116, disposed along a plane P2 intersecting the board 10, and attached to the board 10.