Wireless Motor Control Law Processing System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric motor systems face challenges with increased weight, size, heat generation, and energy use due to complex microcontrollers needed for efficient control of brushless electric motors, which also lead to higher costs and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where the controller is separated from the electric motor unit, using a wireless communications link to receive and send commands, reducing the need for complex microcontrollers at the motor location and allowing for reduced weight, size, and energy use, while minimizing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If complex microcontrollers are used to control brushless electric motors, then motor efficiency and operation are improved, but weight, size, heat generation, and energy use increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into two separate parts: a simplified microcontroller located in the motor unit and a more powerful controller located remotely. This segmentation allows the motor unit to have minimal control components while maintaining efficient motor control through wireless communication, thereby reducing weight without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex control law processing functionality is extracted from the motor unit's microcontroller and relocated to a separate remote controller. This extraction enables the motor unit to use a simpler, lighter microcontroller while the remote controller handles the computationally intensive control law calculations, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If complex microcontrollers are used to control brushless electric motors, then motor efficiency and operation are improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex control law processing functionality is extracted from the motor unit's microcontroller and relocated to a separate remote controller. This extraction enables the motor unit to use a simpler, smaller microcontroller while the remote controller handles the computationally intensive control law calculations, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If complex microcontrollers are used to control brushless electric motors, then motor efficiency and operation are improved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex control law processing functionality is extracted from the motor unit's microcontroller and relocated to a separate remote controller. This extraction enables the motor unit to use a simpler microcontroller that generates less heat, while the remote controller handles the computationally intensive tasks in a location where heat management is less critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If complex microcontrollers are used to control brushless electric motors, then motor efficiency and operation are improved, but energy use increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller energy use

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex control law processing functionality is extracted from the motor unit's microcontroller and relocated to a separate remote controller. This extraction enables the motor unit to use a simpler microcontroller that consumes less energy, while the remote controller handles the computationally intensive control law calculations, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and energy use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Productivity

If complex microcontrollers are used to control brushless electric motors, then motor efficiency and operation are improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into two separate parts: a simplified microcontroller located in the motor unit and a more powerful controller located remotely. This segmentation allows the motor unit to use a less expensive, simpler microcontroller while maintaining efficient motor control through wireless communication, thereby reducing cost without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex control law processing functionality is extracted from the motor unit's microcontroller and relocated to a separate remote controller. This extraction enables the motor unit to use a cheaper, simpler microcontroller, reducing the overall system cost while the remote controller handles the computationally intensive tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

6Productivity

If complex microcontrollers are used to control brushless electric motors, then motor efficiency and operation are improved, but susceptibility to electromagnetic interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor efficiencyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The complex control law processing functionality is extracted from the motor unit's microcontroller and relocated to a separate remote controller. This extraction enables the motor unit to use a simpler microcontroller that is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, while the remote controller handles the computationally intensive control law calculations in a location with better electromagnetic shielding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Wireless communication acts as an intermediary between the motor unit and the remote controller, allowing control signals to be transmitted without physical connections that could be susceptible to electromagnetic interference. This mediator approach protects the control system from harmful electromagnetic effects while maintaining efficient motor control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration reduces weight, size, heat generation, and energy use, enabling the electric motor system to be more versatile and cost-effective, with improved flexibility in placement and reduced electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

receive information from an electric motor unit over a wireless communications link between the controller and the electric motor unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2838192B1Remote wireless motor control law processing system

Publication Date: 2018.09.26 THE BOEING CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for operating an electric motor unit. Information is received from the electric motor unit over a wireless communications link between the controller and the electric motor unit. Commands are identified for the electric motor unit from the information received. The commands identified are sent to the electric motor unit over the wireless communications link.