Multiplexed Motor Controller Weight Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing variable-frequency source or multi-speed motors require costly, large, and heavy motor controllers, which is impractical for applications where weight and volume are critical, such as in aircraft.

Innovation Solution

A multiplexed motor controller system that communicates directly with multiple motors, processes signals from initiators, and generates waveforms to control motor operations, prioritizing signals based on stored priority information and implementing closed-loop control to adjust speed and torque, while sharing configuration files among controllers to minimize weight and volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate motor controller is used for each variable-frequency or multi-speed motor, then each motor can be controlled independently and reliably, but the overall system weight and volume increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor control reliabilityVSAvoidcontroller weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple motor control functions into a single multiplexed controller that can control multiple variable-frequency or multi-speed motors simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the total number of controllers from one per motor to one shared controller, directly addressing the weight and volume concerns while maintaining independent control capability through time-multiplexed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiplexed controller is designed as a universal control unit capable of managing multiple different motors with varying requirements. It implements priority-based signal processing and can handle different motor types (variable-frequency and multi-speed) within a single device, providing multi-functional capability that replaces multiple specialized controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate motor controller is used for each variable-frequency or multi-speed motor, then each motor can be controlled independently and reliably, but the system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor control reliabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple motor control functions into a single multiplexed controller that can control multiple variable-frequency or multi-speed motors simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the total number of controllers from one per motor to one shared controller, directly addressing the weight and volume concerns while maintaining independent control capability through time-multiplexed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiplexed controller is designed as a universal control unit capable of managing multiple different motors with varying requirements. It implements priority-based signal processing and can handle different motor types (variable-frequency and multi-speed) within a single device, providing multi-functional capability that replaces multiple specialized controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a separate motor controller is used for each variable-frequency or multi-speed motor, then each motor can be controlled independently, but the system volume increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent motor controlVSAvoidcontroller volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple motor control functions into a single multiplexed controller that can control multiple variable-frequency or multi-speed motors simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the total number of controllers from one per motor to one shared controller, directly addressing the weight and volume concerns while maintaining independent control capability through time-multiplexed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiplexed controller is designed as a universal control unit capable of managing multiple different motors with varying requirements. It implements priority-based signal processing and can handle different motor types (variable-frequency and multi-speed) within a single device, providing multi-functional capability that replaces multiple specialized controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2790077B1Multiplexed motor controller

Publication Date: 2016.12.07 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

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AI summary

A system, multiplexed controller (110), and a method of controlling a plurality of motors (120) is described. The system includes a plurality of motors (120), at least two of the motors (120) requiring a variable-frequency source or being a multi-speed motor. The multiplexed controller (110) of the system is configured to control operation of the plurality of motors (120), the controller (110) directly communicating with each of the plurality of motors (120).