Motor Unit Amplifier Integration Heat and Noise Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor units, such as servo amplifier-integrated servomotors, face issues with wire management, interference, noise, and heat dissipation, which affect assembly quality and efficiency, and the size of articulated robots when the drive circuit is integrated within the arm, limiting movement range.

Innovation Solution

A motor unit configuration that includes a separate amplifier section with a heat dissipating member, a bound power line, and a waterproof cover, allowing for improved heat management and flexibility in assembly, while preventing power line interference and noise, and reducing the motor's influence on the amplifier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the amplifier section is integrated inside the arm with the motor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the arm size increases and the range of movement is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of amplifier and motorVSAvoidarm size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier section is separated from the motor and placed in a different location (base or separate housing), dividing the integrated system into independent components. This reduces the volume of the moving arm while maintaining the functional integration through external connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the power line is not bound to the amplifier cover, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the power line interferes with other objects and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidinterference and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power line is pre-bound to the amplifier cover during assembly preparation, ensuring proper positioning before final assembly. This preliminary action prevents interference with other objects and reduces noise while maintaining assembly efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the heat dissipating member is not attached to the motor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat management becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipating member acts as an intermediary component attached to both the motor and the amplifier cover, facilitating heat transfer from the motor to the amplifier section and ultimately to the surrounding environment, improving heat management without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the amplifier section is placed close to the motor, then the productivity is improved, but the vibration and heat from the motor influence the amplifier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidvibration and heat influence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier section is extracted from the immediate vicinity of the motor and positioned in a separate location, removing it from the harmful environment of motor vibration and heat while maintaining functional proximity through external connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enhances assembly efficiency, reduces noise and heat-related issues, and allows for a more compact design by separating the motor and amplifier sections, thereby improving the motor unit's performance and the robot's movement range.

Implementation Method 1

an amplifier section (3) including a drive circuit that drives the motor (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3251806B1Motor unit and robot
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3251806B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251806B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251806B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor unit (2) includes a motor (4) and an amplifier section (3) including a drive circuit that drives the motor (4). The amplifier section (3) includes an amplifier cover (32). A power line (C2, C3, C4) for supplying power to the motor (4) is bound to the amplifier cover (32).