Winch Motor Power Control Circuit Preventing Overheating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional winch control circuits fail to prevent motor overheating and potential cable breakage when the cable becomes stuck or attached to an unmovable object, leading to hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with an input port, output port, sensor, and processor that senses electric power and controls the winch motor's direction, preventing excessive power delivery when the cable is stuck or under heavy load, using a reversible contactor and user-operable switch to manage forward and reverse operations safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the winch motor operates continuously without power monitoring, then the winch can maintain operation under heavy load, but the motor may overheat and cause cable breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor continuously monitors the electric power delivered to the motor and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller compares the monitored power level against a predetermined threshold and automatically stops power delivery when the threshold is exceeded, preventing motor overheating and cable breakage while allowing continuous operation within safe parameters.
2Device complexity
If a conventional control circuit without power sensing is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of preventing hazardous conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power sensing circuit that acts as a mediator between the motor control system and the hazard prevention function. This intermediary component monitors power levels and provides critical information to the controller, enabling reliable hazard prevention without requiring a complete redesign of the control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a circuit for controlling electric power delivered to an electric motor are disclosed. A forward control signal is transmitted when a forward command is received while a forward latch is not set. The forward latch is set and the forward control signal is stopped when a power level of the motor exceeds a threshold while the forward command is received. The forward latch is reset and a reverse control signal is transmitted when a reverse command is received. The reverse and forward control signals are not transmitted when no command is received. A reverse latch is optionally set when the power level exceeds the threshold while the reverse command is received. A winch connected to the motor has a cable wound thereon in a forward direction of the motor and unwound therefrom in a reverse direction of the motor, as controlled by the circuit.