Motor-Roller Controller PWM Dynamics for Ohmic Loss Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor systems face issues with under-voltages and overcurrents due to high power demands, leading to malfunctions and increased costs from ohmic losses in cabling, particularly in systems with low voltage and high current requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating a motor-roller controller that involves determining voltage and power thresholds, using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to adjust power delivery, and dynamically setting a nominal value to reduce power consumption and stabilize voltage, thereby minimizing ohmic losses and preventing malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high power is delivered to motors in conveyor systems, then productivity and conveying capacity are improved, but ohmic losses in cabling increase and voltage drops occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying capacityVSAvoidohmic losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power adjustment by continuously monitoring voltage and current levels and adapting motor power delivery in real-time. The controller dynamically modifies PWM duty cycles based on measured electrical parameters, allowing the system to optimize between maximizing conveying capacity and minimizing ohmic losses under varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes electrical operating parameters by adjusting voltage and current levels through PWM modulation. By varying the duty cycle of PWM signals, the system dynamically alters motor power consumption parameters to reduce ohmic losses while maintaining adequate conveying performance, directly addressing the contradiction between productivity and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If high current is used to deliver sufficient power at low voltage, then motor power requirements are met, but voltage drops and malfunctions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor powerVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors voltage and current levels from sensors and uses this information to adjust PWM duty cycles. This closed-loop control ensures that motor power delivery is optimized while preventing voltage drops that would cause malfunctions, thereby maintaining both adequate motor power and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts power delivery based on real-time electrical conditions. By continuously monitoring voltage and current and adapting PWM signals accordingly, the system maintains stable operation even under varying load conditions, preventing the voltage drops and malfunctions associated with static high-current designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If PWM duty cycle is increased to deliver more power, then motor performance is improved, but voltage drops and ohmic losses worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor power outputVSAvoidohmic losses in cabling
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts PWM duty cycles based on real-time voltage and current measurements. Rather than using fixed high duty cycles, the controller continuously adapts the PWM parameters to deliver adequate motor power while minimizing ohmic losses, optimizing the balance between motor performance and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes PWM operating parameters dynamically by adjusting duty cycle values based on measured electrical conditions. This allows the motor to receive sufficient power for its mechanical load while operating at electrical parameters that minimize ohmic losses in the cabling, directly resolving the contradiction between power output and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach reduces power drawn by motors, stabilizes voltage, and prevents system malfunctions by dynamically adjusting power delivery based on voltage and power thresholds, ensuring efficient operation and reducing costs associated with cabling and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The motor is an electric motor which is configured to generate a rotational movement about the roller axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The motor can be fed through the motor-roller control port using for instance a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to control at least the rotational speed of the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse Width Modulation:

Data Source

PatentEP4195496A1Method for operating a motor-roller controller, motor-roller controller and conveyor system
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 KYOWA EUROPE GMBH
  • EP4195496A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195496A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4195496A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for operating a motor-roller controller wherein a voltage value indicative of a voltage at an input power port of the motor-roller controller is determined by the motor-roller controller and a first threshold value for the voltage value is set in the motor-roller controller. Then a nominal value for the output power at a motor-roller control port of the motor-roller controller is set depending on at least the voltage value and the first threshold value