Motor Signal Distribution Device Using Inductive Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional single cable solutions for motor feedback systems require separate lines for sensors or daisy chaining, leading to increased cable thickness and port requirements, necessitating a more efficient and reliable communication method between control devices and sensors.

Innovation Solution

A motor arrangement utilizing a signal distribution device with magnetic coupling between windings, allowing for inductive signal transmission between a control device and multiple sensors without electrical coupling, using impedance matching and negative impedance to ensure efficient and reliable data transfer over a single cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate lines are provided for sensors, then data transmission reliability is improved, but cable thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcable thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor connections and data transmission lines into a single cable by using magnetic coupling between windings. The signal distribution device distributes signals from one common line to multiple sensors through inductive coupling, eliminating the need for separate physical lines for each sensor while maintaining reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a signal distribution device with magnetic coupling windings as an intermediary. This device acts as a mediator between the common cable and multiple sensors, enabling signal distribution without direct electrical connections to each sensor, thus reducing cable complexity while preserving transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If daisy chain connection is used, then cable thickness is reduced, but number of ports per sensor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable thicknessVSAvoidnumber of ports per sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal distribution function into a separate device with multiple windings. Instead of requiring each sensor to have multiple ports for daisy chaining, the signal distribution device handles the segmentation and routing of signals to individual sensors through magnetic coupling, simplifying sensor design while maintaining single-cable connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If magnetic coupling is used, then electrical isolation is improved, but impedance matching complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidimpedance matching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts impedance parameters by introducing a further winding coupled to a negative impedance. This modifies the electrical characteristics of the magnetic coupling system to achieve impedance matching between the common line and individual sensor connections, maintaining signal integrity while preserving electrical isolation through magnetic coupling.

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 cable thickness, eliminates the need for additional ports, and provides high-efficiency data transmission with increased bandwidth and robustness against noise, suitable for Industry 4.0 applications.

Implementation Method 1

a first interface (106) coupled to a first winding (306); and a plurality of second interfaces (108, 110), each second interface (108, 110) coupled to a respective second winding (308, 310) inductively coupled to the first winding (306)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3910802B1Motor arrangements
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 SICK AG
  • EP3910802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3910802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3910802B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor arrangement comprises: a motor; a plurality of sensors configured to determine sensor data related to the motor; a signal distribution device; a control device configured to transmit or receive sensor signals to or from the plurality of sensors via the signal distribution device; wherein the signal distribution device comprises: a first interface configured to receive or transmit signals from or to the control device; a plurality of second interfaces, each second interface configured to receive or transmit signals from or to a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors; wherein the first interface is coupled to a first winding; and wherein each of the second interfaces is coupled to a respective second winding inductively coupled to the first winding.