Multi-Coil Electric Motor Bridge Circuit for Fault-Tolerant Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motor systems with three coils are prone to failure when one coil malfunctions, leading to operational issues, particularly in critical applications like motor vehicles, where reliability and flexibility are essential.
Innovation Solution
The electric motor system incorporates at least four coils, each independently supplied by power electronics via separate bridge circuits, allowing continued operation even if one or more coils fail, with the option to adjust electrical supply based on power requirements to maintain torque delivery smoothly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If three coils are used in the electric motor with star or delta connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because one coil failure causes total motor failure
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is divided into multiple independent coil modules (at least four coils) that can operate independently. Each coil is supplied separately through the power electronics, allowing one coil to fail without affecting the others. This segmentation enables the motor to continue operating in a degraded mode with reduced power but functional capability.
2Reliability
If six coils are provided with separate supply for fault tolerance, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power electronics bridge circuit is designed to serve multiple functions: it can supply all four coils independently for normal operation, or supply subsets of coils for degraded operation modes. The same bridge circuit handles both healthy and faulty conditions, eliminating the need for separate fault-tolerance hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If at least four coils are independently supplied via separate bridge circuits, then the reliability is improved with continued operation capability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts which coils are active based on operational needs and fault conditions. The bridge circuits can be selectively enabled or disabled, and the control device can redistribute power among available coils to maintain motor function. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to handle failures gracefully without requiring permanent redundant hardware for each possible failure mode.
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 enhances operational safety and availability, reduces the probability of motor failure, and enables more flexible and space-efficient designs, ensuring continued operation with fewer coils, such as with five coils where two can fail without halting the motor.
Implementation Method 1
Electric motors typically have three coils that drive a motor shaft, usually made of permanent magnets, during operation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric motor system (5) with an electric motor (2) having at least four coils (14) for driving a motor shaft (4) of the electric motor (2). Increased operational reliability and/or more flexible operation of the electric motor system (5) is/are achieved by providing a power electronics unit (11) of the electric motor system (5) with an associated bridge circuit (18) for each of at least four of the coils (14) of the electric motor (2). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (1) with such an electric motor system (5).