The invention relates to integrated electronics in an electric motor, and to a kit composed of individual electronic components for integration in an electric motor.
Electric motors of the design according to the invention are used, for example, in conveying devices, centrifugal pumps and/or processing devices. These in turn play a significant role in production systems. Within such systems, the electric motors according to the invention can be used at different locations, wherein the accessibility is in some cases possible in a very limited fashion.
For the energy-efficient operating mode, the abovementioned uses are driven by regulated electric motors. The regulation of the drives requires additional installation space in a system or complex switching cabinets in the close proximity of the system.
DE 10 2005 032 964 A1 presents a converter motor which has the entire power electronics arranged within the motor housing.
DE 10 2005 032 966 A1 also presents a converter motor, wherein an external fan is provided for the dissipation of heat.
Converter motors with electronic components which are provided in or on the housing of the motor are sufficiently known. All the motors have a fixed arrangement of the individual components and designated insulation directions.
The invention is then based on the object of developing a converter motor which is simple and cost-effective to manufacture and in which the flexibility is significantly increased.
The object is achieved by an electric motor having a frequency converter as claimed in claim 1, in which the components of the electronics of the frequency converter are arranged and distributed among a plurality of modules, wherein the individual modules are electrically connected, wherein a fan is provided on the electric motor, wherein the electronic circuit boards of the various modules are located in a plurality of separate housings, wherein each housing is arranged radially on the outer circumference of the electric motor, in that the cooling airstream of a fan dissipates the heat of the modules and motor.
Each module in itself forms a separate closed-off unit comprising an electronic component, for example a circuit board in a housing which is provided with electrical connections. One module is electrically connected to the other modules. The arrangement on the outer circumference of the motor housing ensures, on the one hand, that the heat of the individual modules can be sufficiently dissipated, and on the other hand the modules are easily accessible so that when servicing is required the modules can be easily accessed. In particular, the modules can be arranged in a flexible way so that a module with specific properties can be arranged, for example, in a system on a motor in such a way that direct access to the module is possible.
The invention can be configured in such a way that the modules comprises, for example, motor-side power electronics, power-system-side power electronics or a human-machine interface, that is to say is of modular design. This has the advantage that the individual modules can be arranged in a flexible way on the outer circumference of the motor. For example, the module can be arranged with the man-machine interface in such a way that simple use is possible. Furthermore, a module with a power element in which waste heat possibly occurs to an amplified extent can be provided at a location at which heat can be dissipated in a simplified fashion.
In a further refinement, the closed-off housings of the individual circuit boards are uniform in terms of their external form independently of their content. This additionally simplifies the modular concept in that the individual modules with identical external dimensions can be interchanged as desired. The electrical connection is particularly advantageously provided in such a way that the modules can be exchanged as desired at any time even in the case of a completely mounted converter motor.
In a further refinement of the invention, regions for attaching the housings comprising one or more circuit boards, preferably three regions, are preferably provided on the housing of the electric motor, wherein cooling fins for dissipating the heat of the stator of electric motor can be provided between the regions. In order to accommodate the individual modules, these regions ought to be configured identically such that the module can be spatially integrated and that a thermal connection can be made to the motor, wherein the input of the motor and of the respective module has to be taken into account.
A further refinement, the electric motor is covered by a motor cover. Said cover serves, inter alia, to guide a cooling airstream for dissipating the heat of the motor and of the modules. For example, this motor cover can cover at least the regions in which the motor is equipped with cooling fins. In the converter motor according to the invention, these cooling fins can be configured rather generously, since as a result of the modules the motor requires slightly larger overall volume than a motor operated from a power system. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the motor cover in such a way that the modules are located under it, wherein corresponding inspection openings are to be provided.
The motor cover itself can be configured in such a way that the airstream is preferably guided to specific regions.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
For example, a simple display which displays motor data such as the parameterization of the converter motor or current measured values on the running motor is suitable as an HMI 1 for each motor according to the invention. For this purpose it is also possible to provide control possibilities using switches, in particular using a touch-sensitive display. However, it is also possible to provide an interface to a remote display and/or control device. In addition to cable connections, infrared links or radio links are also suitable for this.
Various line feedthroughs are provided on the closed housing of the module for the human-machine interface 1. Plug-type connections can also be provided on said feedthroughs.
The separation of the power-system-side and motor-side power electronics permits modular adaptation to the respective needs of an application. Thus it is possible for different mains voltages or frequencies to be modeled by different modules, and likewise the motor-side actuation of different motor types can be modeled. Furthermore, all the field bus systems can be easily modeled in the modules.
It is particularly servicing-friendly for the configuration of a system if individual modules can be adapted to the local conditions as desired.
Since the modules 1, 2 and 3 have a uniform structure and connection design, the module which comprises the motor-side power electronics 2 is also provided in a closed housing, wherein the latter has a plurality of line feedthroughs.
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2017 220 967.4 | Nov 2017 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2018/080920, filed Nov. 12, 2018, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from German Patent Application No. 10 2017 220 967.4, filed Nov. 23, 2017, the entire disclosures of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/080920 | 11/12/2018 | WO | 00 |