Shared Three-Phase Bridge for Dual-Motor Propulsion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive systems for household appliances with synchronous motors, particularly in applications like drain pumps in washing machines, incur additional costs and complexity due to the need for frequency converters and multiple three-phase bridges, which are unnecessary for uncontrolled operations with constant speed.

Innovation Solution

A drive system that allows simultaneous operation of a three-phase and a single-phase motor using a shared three-phase bridge, enabling full or partial load transitions without interruption, reducing electronic complexity, cost, space, and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate three-phase bridges and control units are used for each motor, then each motor can be operated independently and reliably, but the device complexity, manufacturing cost, installation space, and energy consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor operation reliabilityVSAvoidelectronic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate three-phase bridges into a single shared three-phase bridge that can serve both the first and second three-phase motors. The bridge's output phases are selectively connected to different motors based on operational requirements, allowing one bridge to replace what would traditionally require two separate bridges, thereby reducing electronic complexity while maintaining independent motor operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single three-phase bridge is designed with universal functionality to operate both the first three-phase motor and the second three-phase motor. By implementing selective phase connection mechanisms, the bridge can be dynamically allocated to different motors, enabling one component to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated components for each motor

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate three-phase bridges are used for each motor, then each motor has dedicated control capability, but the manufacturing cost and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor control capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functionality of two separate three-phase bridges into a single shared bridge structure. This merging reduces the total number of bridge components from two to one, directly lowering manufacturing costs and assembly efforts while maintaining the ability to independently control each motor through selective phase connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate three-phase bridges are used for each motor, then each motor can be controlled independently, but the installation space and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent motor controlVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate three-phase bridge circuits into a single shared bridge, reducing the total component footprint. The selective connection mechanism allows the same physical bridge to serve multiple motors, thereby reducing installation space requirements while preserving independent motor control capability through electronic switching rather than physical duplication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate three-phase bridges are used for each motor, then each motor has dedicated power supply, but the waste heat generated and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvededicated power supplyVSAvoidwaste heat
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate power supply paths into a single shared three-phase bridge power system. By consolidating the power conversion functionality, the system reduces redundant power losses that would occur in two separate bridges, thereby reducing waste heat generation and overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to independently power each motor when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables cost-effective, space-saving, and energy-efficient operation of three-phase and single-phase motors in parallel, minimizing waste heat and eliminating the need for separate control units and bridges, ensuring continuous operation without interruptions.

Implementation Method 1

a three-phase bridge (360) which is designed to feed the three-phase motor (301) and the single-phase motor (302)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4593281A1Propulsion system
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4593281A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4593281A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4593281A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive system with a three-phase motor (M1), with a single-phase motor (M2) and with a three-phase bridge which is designed to feed the three-phase motor (M1) and the single-phase motor (M2), wherein the drive system, preferably a control unit of the drive system, is designed to • operate the three-phase motor (M1) and the single-phase motor (M2) individually under full load or • operate the three-phase motor (M1) and the single-phase motor (M2) together, each under partial load.