Electric Trolley Motor Stop Control Without Heavy Interruption Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric trolleys face challenges in safely stopping travel due to abnormalities, often requiring large and heavy interruption circuits to halt the electromotor, which complicates size and weight constraints.

Innovation Solution

The electric trolley incorporates a safety controller and driving commander that manage operation and control signals to independently stop the motor driver, utilizing an operation blocker and control blocker within a low voltage power supply system, reducing the need for a large interruption circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large interruption circuit is used to stop the electromotor, then the stopping reliability is improved, but the device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestopping reliabilityVSAvoidinterruption circuit weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical interruption circuit with a control signal-based stopping mechanism. The safety controller sends a stop command signal to the electromotor controller, which then stops the motor through control signal interruption rather than direct power circuit interruption. This substitution of control mechanism reduces the need for large physical interruption circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromotor controller acts as an intermediary between the safety controller and the electromotor. Instead of directly interrupting the power supply to the motor, the safety controller sends a stop command through the electromotor controller, which then executes the stopping action. This intermediary approach allows for reliable stopping without requiring large interruption circuits in the power supply path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a large interruption circuit is used to stop the electromotor, then the stopping reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestopping reliabilityVSAvoidinterruption circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electrical interruption circuits with a simpler control signal transmission system. The stopping function is achieved through digital or electronic control signals rather than complex electrical switching mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromotor controller serves multiple functions: it controls the motor during normal operation and also executes the stopping command when safety issues are detected. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated interruption circuits, simplifying the overall system architecture.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4011682B1Electric trolley
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4011682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4011682B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4011682B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electric trolley (100) includes safety controller (113) that determines whether or not to stop the driving of driving wheel (103), and driving commander (110) that outputs, to the motor driver (109), (i) an operation permission signal for permitting motor (104) to be operated and (ii) a control signal for controlling an operation of motor (104), in which safety controller (113) performs control to stop inputs of the operation permission signal and the control signal to motor driver (109) when the safety controller determines to stop the driving of driving wheel (103).