Multiaxis Servo Amplifier Layout for Simpler Wiring and Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multiaxis servo drive devices require complex wiring configurations, dedicated installation members, and are limited in scalability and flexibility, leading to increased costs and potential connection errors.

Innovation Solution

A servo amplifier device with a simple configuration that allows easy attachment to a wall or plate-shaped installation member, featuring distributed connectors on different surfaces for simplified wiring and using bus bars for DC power supply, eliminating the need for a dedicated rack structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional multiaxis servo drive device uses a rack structure with a circuit board for wiring, then the wiring is pre-configured and connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase, and scalability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into independent servo amplifier units, each with its own housing and connectors. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex integrated rack structure while maintaining reliable connections through standardized connectors on each unit. The modular design allows each unit to be independently installed and connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The servo amplifier units use universal connectors and standardized interfaces that can be applied across all units regardless of the number of axes. This universality eliminates the need for dedicated rack structures and custom wiring harnesses, reducing device complexity while maintaining connection reliability through consistent interfaces.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If a conventional multiaxis servo drive device uses a dedicated rack structure, then the wiring process is simplified through pre-configured connections, but the adaptability for flexible configuration changes is reduced and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring process simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static, fixed rack structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable arrangement where servo amplifier units can be independently added, removed, or repositioned. The standardized connectors enable quick connection and disconnection without requiring complex rewiring, providing both ease of manufacture and configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring and connection configurations are pre-prepared within each independent servo amplifier unit during manufacturing. This preliminary action simplifies the overall wiring process while maintaining adaptability, as each unit comes ready-to-connect with standardized interfaces that can be quickly assembled in different configurations as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If the number of servo amplifier units is increased in a conventional rack structure, then the functionality for controlling more axes is improved, but the space occupation and wiring complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of unitsVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each servo amplifier unit is a self-contained module with all necessary connectors and wiring interfaces integrated within its housing. This segmentation allows multiple units to be deployed without proportionally increasing overall wiring complexity, as each unit independently manages its own connections rather than requiring a complex centralized wiring harness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connectors are strategically positioned on the housings to utilize three-dimensional space efficiently. By distributing connectors across different surfaces and orientations of each unit's housing, the design accommodates multiple units in compact arrangements without increasing wiring complexity, effectively adding functionality in a spatially efficient manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If connectors are distributed on different surfaces of the housing, then the ease of operation for wiring is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring easeVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different surfaces of each servo amplifier unit's housing are optimized for specific connection types based on local requirements. For example, communication connectors may be positioned on accessible top surfaces while power connectors are placed on side surfaces optimized for power cable routing. This local optimization improves wiring ease without requiring complex overall housing structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed with standardized connector mounting positions and orientations across all servo amplifier units. This equipotential approach ensures that regardless of which surface a connector is on, the installation and wiring process remains consistent and straightforward, improving ease of operation without increasing perceived complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentEP3961908B1Servo amplifier device, and multiaxis servo control device
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3961908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3961908B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3961908B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A servo amplifier device is a servo amplifier device that incorporates a control drive circuit configured to control and drive a motor, the servo amplifier device including: a housing that houses the control drive circuit; an attachment portion for attaching the housing to an installation member; a DC power supply connection unit connected with a DC power supply line to be supplied with DC power; a communication connector connected with an external controller to be supplied with a communication signal; a motor driving connector connected with a drive line for driving the motor; and a display unit disposed with a display member. The housing has a box shape having a pair of first surfaces facing each other and each having a largest area. The communication connector and the motor driving connector are disposed on a pair of second surfaces perpendicular to the first surfaces and facing each other. On a pair of third surfaces perpendicular to the first surfaces and the second surfaces and facing each other, attachment portion 33 is disposed on a back surface side with one of the third surfaces being as a back surface, and the display unit and the DC power supply connection unit are disposed on a front surface with the other one of the third surfaces being as the front surface.