Distribution Box for Serial Motor Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and bulkiness of wiring in electric motor systems, particularly in machines with multiple motors, lead to increased installation and maintenance challenges due to the need for multiple plug-in connections and complex cabling arrangements, which are exacerbated by space constraints and the requirement for separate power and data lines.
Innovation Solution
A distribution box that allows for flexible and standardized wiring of electric motors with integrated electronics, enabling adaptable installation in various spatial conditions by providing multiple openings for power and data connectors that can be oriented radially or axially, and allowing for the use of standardized cable sets and hybrid cables, facilitating easier connection and reduced cabling complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug-in connections are provided for power and data cabling, then the motor can be connected in various cabling topologies (ring, star, tree), but the device becomes bulky and assembly/maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution box is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple cabling topologies (ring, star, tree configurations) through standardized openings for power and data connectors. This multi-functional design allows the same distribution box to support different connection patterns without requiring custom configurations, thereby achieving adaptability while maintaining a consistent structural form factor.
2Length of moving object
If radial orientation of connections is used to minimize axial protrusion, then space in axial direction is reduced, but radial space requirements increase causing collisions with neighboring motors
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution box provides multiple openings arranged in different spatial orientations (radial and axial directions). This allows the cabling to be routed in different dimensions depending on the specific installation constraints. By offering both radial and axial connection options, the system can adapt to space constraints in one dimension by utilizing available space in another dimension, thereby avoiding collisions with neighboring motors while minimizing axial protrusion where needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized cable sets with straight and angled connectors are used, then assembly is simplified, but the distribution box requires multiple openings for different connector types
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution box is designed with multiple standardized openings that can accommodate different connector types (straight and angled connectors for both power and data connections). This universal interface approach allows the use of standardized cable sets with simplified assembly procedures, while the distribution box's standardized multiple openings provide the necessary flexibility to accept various connector orientations and types without requiring custom modification of the distribution box for each cable type.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Electric motor with a housing in which at least one electronic circuit board is arranged, wherein the axially extending output shaft projects from the first end face of the housing and an electrical power connector for supplying the electric motor and the electronic circuit board with electrical energy and at least one electrical data connector for reading setpoints into the electronic circuit board and for reading actual values and stored data and for exchanging other data are attached to the opposite, second end face of the housing and wherein a distribution box can be plugged onto the power connector and onto the data connector, the dimensions of which in the radial direction are essentially smaller than the cross-section of the housing and which, in addition to the connectors between the electric motor, electronic circuit board and distribution box, has at least four openings for installing further connectors,of which at least two point in the axial direction of the housing and at least two are radially oriented, and electrical connections can be made between the plug connections within the distribution box.