Movable Partition Motor Control PWM Speed Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable partition systems face stress issues due to high current and mechanical strain during rapid extension and retraction, particularly when encountering fully extended or retracted positions, which can lead to increased air pressure and obstruction risks.
Innovation Solution
A motor control system with a switching circuit and encoder is used to adjust pulse widths of PWM signals, controlling the motor's rotational speed and direction to reduce stress by slowing down the motor when the partition reaches predefined positions, improving airflow and reducing mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor operates at high speed for rapid partition extension and retraction, then productivity is improved, but mechanical stress and wear on components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of the motor based on the partition's position. The controller receives position signals from the encoder and modifies PWM duty cycles to reduce motor speed when the partition approaches fully extended or retracted positions, thereby reducing mechanical stress while maintaining high productivity during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the motor by adjusting PWM pulse widths based on partition position. When the partition is between predefined positions (not fully extended or retracted), the motor operates at higher speed for productivity. When approaching extreme positions, the pulse widths are adjusted to reduce speed and minimize mechanical stress and wear
2Productivity
If the motor operates at high speed, then productivity is improved, but air pressure buildup and obstruction risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system takes preliminary action by detecting partition position through the encoder before the partition reaches fully extended or retracted positions. Based on this position information, the controller proactively reduces motor speed using PWM adjustment, preventing air pressure buildup and obstruction risks before they occur, while maintaining high productivity during the majority of the movement cycle
3Reliability
If the motor is slowed down at predefined positions, then mechanical stress is reduced, but operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor speed reduction is applied partially - only when the partition is between predefined positions (approaching fully extended or retracted states). During the majority of the operational cycle, the motor maintains high speed for productivity. The encoder and controller implement this selective speed adjustment, reducing stress only during critical position transitions while minimizing overall operational time loss
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 effectively reduces wear on the motor and mechanical components by managing speed and airflow, minimizing stress and potential obstructions during the partition's movement, thereby enhancing the operational reliability and safety of movable partitions.
Implementation Method 1
An encoder is configured for generating one or more rotation signals indicative of operational direction and operational speed of the motor
Implementation Method 2
A motor controller is operably coupled to the switching circuit and is configured for improving airflow around panels of the movable partition when a lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels by adjusting pulse widths of the one or more PWM signals to control a rotational speed of the motor
Implementation Method 3
improving airflow around panels of the movable partition when the lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels
Data Source
AI summary
A movable partition system includes a movable partition including coupled panels and a lead post engaged with and movable along a track. A motor control system includes a motor coupled to the movable partition and a switching circuit coupled to the motor and for selectively coupling the motor to a positive power source and a negative power source responsive to one or more PWM signals. An encoder is configured for generating one or more rotation signals indicative of operational direction and operational speed of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to the switching circuit and is configured for improving airflow around the panels of the movable partition when the lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels by adjusting pulse widths of the PWM signals to control rotational speed of the motor.