Servomotor Integrated Brake Control Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor braking systems for servomotor drive systems are costly due to the inclusion of brake control circuitry in all drive axes, even though only a small percentage require braking functionality, leading to inefficiency and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

An integrated brake system for servomotor systems that includes an input/output circuit and a brake control switch within an enclosure, allowing selective engagement and disengagement of a motor brake using control signals, enabling the brake system to be included only in necessary axes, reducing overall costs and improving safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If brake control circuitry is included in every drive axis, then safety and braking functionality are ensured, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking functionalityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by integrating brake control circuitry only in specific drive axes that require braking functionality, rather than universally in all axes. The encoder housing serves as a localized integration point for brake control components (input/output circuit, brake control switch) only where needed, allowing selective distribution of braking capability across different axes based on application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If brake control circuitry is integrated in all drives, then braking reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the brake control functionality by separating it into independent components (input/output circuit, brake control switch) that can be selectively integrated into encoder housings only for axes requiring braking. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce standardized encoder units with optional brake control integration, reducing per-unit costs for axes that don't require braking while maintaining reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2343795B1Servomotor system with integrated brake control
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • EP2343795B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2343795B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A servomotor system is provided. The servomotor system includes an enclosure and a motor stator and rotor disposed in the enclosure. The servomotor system also includes a motor brake disposed in the enclosure and configured to selectively brake the rotor from rotation and a brake control switch disposed in the enclosure and coupled to the motor brake for selectively providing power to the motor brake for selectively engaging and/or disengaging the brake.