Multi-Motor Unit Communication Without a Host Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-motor systems require a host terminal for communications, limiting direct inter-motor unit interactions and complicating network management.
Innovation Solution
Motor units equipped with a communication circuit capable of transmitting and receiving data frames directly, utilizing unique identifiers to facilitate many-to-many communications without a host terminal, and an arbitrator mechanism to manage communication order and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a host terminal is used to manage communications between motor units, then communication control is simplified, but system complexity increases and response time is extended due to the additional intermediary device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the host terminal from the communication system, allowing motor units to communicate directly with each other. Each motor unit is equipped with communication circuits and identifier storage devices, enabling them to independently send and receive communication frames without requiring a central host terminal for message routing.
Solution Approach 2:
Motor units are designed to autonomously manage their own communications by storing identifiers of other motor units and using these identifiers to directly address communication frames. This self-service capability eliminates the need for a host terminal to mediate communications, reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation through standardized communication protocols.
2Device complexity
If only receiving-end ID information is assigned to requests, then transmission is simplified, but the transmitting end cannot determine which motor unit should receive the response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric identifier assignment where motor units have different roles in communication frames. The transmitting end motor unit stores and uses the receiving end's identifier to address the communication frame, while the receiving end motor unit stores and uses the transmitting end's identifier to send responses. This asymmetric approach ensures that both transmission and response routing information are available without adding excessive complexity.
3Extent of automation
If direct motor unit communications are implemented, then system autonomy increases, but communication reliability may decrease without a central coordinating host terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication protocol that all motor units can use interchangeably. Each motor unit is designed with the same communication capabilities, including identifier storage and communication frame processing. This multi-functionality allows any motor unit to act as either a transmitter or receiver, enhancing system autonomy while maintaining reliability through standardized, predictable communication behavior across all units.
Data Source
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AI summary
A motor unit for use in a multi-motor system in which a plurality of motor units perform communications directly with each other via a communications network comprises a motor, a control circuit to generate a control signal for causing the motor to rotate, a motor driving circuit to flow a current in the motor based on the control signal, a storage device storing a first identifier uniquely identifying the motor unit itself and a second identifier uniquely identifying each of the plurality of motor units within the communications network, and a communication circuit to transmit a data frame directly to another motor unit in the multi-motor system, the communication circuit storing to the data frame the first identifier indicating itself as a transmitting end, the second identifier uniquely identifying the other motor unit as a receiving end, and a request concerning an operation to be performed by the other motor unit, and transmitting the data frame directly to the other motor unit.