Toroidal Absorption Filter With Plug-Through Conductor Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorption filters for high-frequency differential currents in electric motor supply lines require complex assembly and maintenance due to connection terminals, increasing production and retrofitting costs and time.

Innovation Solution

The absorption filter design features a housing with toroidal cores cast in a channel free of potting compound, allowing phase conductors to be plugged through, eliminating the need for connection terminals and simplifying assembly and retrofitting by using bushings that can be easily routed through the filter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection terminals are used in absorption filters, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection terminal function directly into the housing structure by integrating bushings into the housing walls. This eliminates separate terminal components and their associated mounting operations, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the integrated bushing design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical protection, structural support, and integrated electrical connection through the built-in bushings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate terminal components, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes

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

2Reliability

If connection terminals are used in absorption filters, then secure electrical connection is achieved, but production time and retrofitting cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the terminal function into the housing structure itself, the patent eliminates separate terminal assembly steps. The bushings are formed as integral parts of the housing, which significantly reduces production time and simplifies retrofitting operations while maintaining secure electrical connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bushings are pre-formed as integral parts of the housing structure during housing manufacturing, rather than being added as separate components during filter assembly. This preliminary integration of the connection function accelerates production and simplifies installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If toroidal cores are encapsulated with potting compound, then mechanical stability is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated encapsulation structure: the toroidal cores are partially encapsulated with potting compound for mechanical stability, while the bushing regions remain free of potting compound to maintain thermal pathways. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical stability and heat dissipation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulation is segmented into distinct zones: encapsulated regions for mechanical support and non-encapsulated regions for thermal management. This segmentation allows the potting compound to provide mechanical stability where needed while leaving thermal pathways open in critical heat dissipation areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies production, and enables easy retrofitting without extensive time or money, while ensuring safe heat dissipation and effective absorption of high-frequency differential currents.

Implementation Method 1

at least one toroidal core (26-34) arranged in the housing (12), which can be electrically coupled to the at least one phase conductor (L1-L3) of the supply line (5) of the electric motor (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3979272B1Absorption filter and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 EPA GMBH
  • EP3979272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3979272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3979272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter arrangement (10), in particular an absorption filter for absorbing high-frequency differential currents in phase conductors of a supply line to an electric motor, and to a method for manufacturing such a filter arrangement. The filter arrangement (10) comprises a housing (12) with at least one toroidal core, which is electromagnetically coupled to at least one of the phase conductors and is potted in the housing (12) by means of a potting compound (50). In order to simplify both the manufacture and the assembly or installation, in particular the easy retrofitting of the absorption filter, e.g., in a control cabinet, the filter arrangement (10) is provided to have at least one passage (40, 42, 44) in the form of a channel free of potting compound (50), wherein the at least one passage (40, 42, 44) penetrates the at least one toroidal core (26-34) and the housing (12) such that the at least one phase conductor can pass through it.