Servo Encoder Battery Soldering for Vibration-Resistant Multi-Turn Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional encoder systems face durability issues due to impacts or vibrations, which affect their performance and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The encoder system incorporates an all-solid-state battery with a solid electrolyte that supplies power to the magnetic detecting unit when external power is not available, and uses solder connections to securely attach the battery to the substrate, enhancing durability and reducing the risk of connection failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional battery connections are used in encoder systems, then the system can operate with power supply, but the connections become poor or detach during impacts or vibrations, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidimpact and vibration effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the soldering iron tip to an optimal temperature (200-300°C) before making the solder connection. This preliminary heating ensures that when the solder is applied, it melts properly and forms a strong, vibration-resistant joint without requiring excessive heat that could damage surrounding components. The preliminary action of temperature preparation directly addresses the contradiction by creating connections that can withstand subsequent impact and vibration stresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the soldering iron tip temperature within a specific range (200-300°C) rather than using conventional higher temperatures. This parameter optimization ensures the solder forms reliable connections that resist detachment during vibrations and impacts, while avoiding overheating damage. The temperature parameter adjustment directly resolves the contradiction between connection strength and vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional protection circuits are added to ensure safe battery operation in high-temperature environments, then safety improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-temperature safetyVSAvoidprotection circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a simple, low-cost temperature sensor that provides sufficient protection without requiring complex circuitry. The sensor is designed to be straightforward and reliable, accepting that it may need replacement rather than investing in complex, expensive protection systems. This approach resolves the contradiction by providing adequate high-temperature safety through simple, maintainable components rather than complex permanent protection circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by designing the temperature sensor to automatically monitor and trigger protection mechanisms without requiring complex external control circuits. The system uses the sensor's inherent capabilities to detect high temperatures and initiate appropriate responses, reducing the need for additional protection circuitry. This self-monitoring approach resolves the contradiction by achieving safety through simple automatic detection rather than complex controlled protection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If the encoder system is downsized to reduce overall dimensions, then compactness improves, but the battery connection becomes more susceptible to detachment during vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoder sizeVSAvoidbattery connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the soldering iron tip temperature to a specific range (200-300°C) that creates particularly strong solder joints. This temperature optimization ensures that even in the compact encoder design where connections have less mechanical tolerance, the soldered battery connections remain exceptionally stable and resistant to vibration-induced detachment. The parameter control directly addresses the contradiction between miniaturization and connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by thoroughly preparing the soldering surface and pre-heating the tip before making connections in the compact encoder. This preliminary preparation ensures that the limited space in the downsized encoder does not compromise connection quality. The careful preliminary setup creates robust joints that withstand vibrations despite the reduced overall dimensions, resolving the contradiction between compactness and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This configuration improves the encoder's durability by preventing poor connections and detachment during vibrations, allows for downsizing, and extends the system's lifespan by using a rechargeable battery, while also ensuring safe operation in high-temperature environments without the need for additional protection circuits.

Implementation Method 1

a connector configured to connect a connection terminal of the battery to a substrate to which at least one of the angular position information detector and the multi-rotation information detector is connected, via a solder in contact with the connection terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Implementation Method 2

The encoder (7) includes an all-solid-state battery (29) having a solid electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conduction through solid electrolyte: Fast Ion Conductor

Data Source

PatentUS11994388B2Encoder, servo motor, servo system, and encoder control method
Publication Date: 2024.05.28 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • US11994388B2 patent drawing
  • US11994388B2 patent drawing
  • US11994388B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An encoder includes: an optical module that detects angular position information indicating an angular position of a rotating disk within one rotation thereof; a magnetic detecting unit that detects multi-rotation information indicating the number of rotations of the disk; a battery that supplies a power to the magnetic detecting unit when an external power is not supplied to the encoder; and a connector that connects connection terminals of the battery to a substrate to which at least one of the optical module and the magnetic detecting unit is connected, via solders in contact with the connection terminals.