Electric Propulsion Parameter Management for Fast Commissioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric drive systems face challenges in efficiently managing and persistently storing operating parameter values, particularly during commissioning and maintenance, due to the complexity of setting and retrieving parameter settings across multiple control devices.

Innovation Solution

An electric drive system comprising a control unit with factory setting values stored in non-volatile memory, a higher-level management device for storing application-specific parameters, and an operating device for configuring and maintaining parameter settings, allowing for automatic initialization and persistent storage of operating parameter values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If operating parameter values are manually set and stored in each control device during commissioning, then the system can be configured for specific applications, but the complexity of managing extensive sets of parameter values across multiple control devices increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific configurationVSAvoidparameter management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management device as an intermediary between operating devices and control devices. This management device centralizes the storage and management of operating parameter values, allowing parameter settings to be created, modified, and stored in one location rather than manually configuring each control device individually. The management device receives parameter values from operating devices and automatically distributes them to the appropriate control devices, thereby reducing parameter management complexity while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The management device serves multiple functions: it acts as a parameter storage repository, a distribution hub, and a coordination center between operating devices and control devices. By consolidating these functions in a single device, the system reduces the overall complexity of parameter management across the entire drive system while maintaining the ability to configure different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If temporary parameter settings are used during commissioning and testing, then the system can be quickly configured for testing purposes, but the parameter values are lost when control devices are restarted or powered off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommissioning speedVSAvoidparameter persistence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The management device pre-stores operating parameter values that have been configured during commissioning. When control devices need to be restarted or when the system is reconfigured, the management device can quickly reload these stored parameter values back into the control devices. This preliminary storage action ensures that parameter settings are preserved and can be rapidly restored, maintaining both commissioning speed and parameter persistence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the management device continuously monitors and manages the parameter values across all control devices. When parameter values are changed during commissioning, the management device detects these changes, stores them centrally, and ensures they are persisted. This feedback loop guarantees that parameter settings are both quickly configurable and reliably preserved across system restarts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If complete sets of operating parameter values are loaded into all control devices during each startup, then all control devices have the latest settings available, but the loading time and system initialization duration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter availabilityVSAvoidstartup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of loading complete sets of operating parameter values into every control device during startup, the patent extracts only the essential parameter values that are actually needed for operation. The management device stores the complete parameter sets and selectively provides only the necessary parameters to each control device during startup. This extraction approach ensures that control devices have the required settings available while significantly reducing the time needed for parameter loading and system initialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operating devices are used to configure different control devices, then comprehensive system configuration is possible, but tracking and managing parameter changes across the system becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidparameter tracking complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management device serves as a central intermediary that coordinates all parameter changes regardless of which operating device initiates them. When any operating device modifies parameter values, the changes are routed through the management device, which tracks the modifications, stores them centrally, and manages their distribution to the appropriate control devices. This intermediary role provides a single point of control and tracking, reducing the complexity of managing parameter changes across multiple operating devices while maintaining full configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2648056B1Method for operating an electric propulsion system and a propulsion system
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 LENZE AUTOMATION
  • EP2648056B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The method involves adjusting operating parameter values based on operating parameters default values in control units (2-1-2-n). Application-specific operational parameter values are stored in the control units by a management apparatus (4). The operating parameter values are adjusted according to the stored application-specific operating parameter values in the control units. The operating parameter values are changed in the control units, where the control units read out current operating parameter values and the application-specific operating parameter values stored in the control units. An independent claim is also included for an electrical propulsion system.