Integrated Motor Electronics

Abstract

An electrical motor arrangement includes and electric motor having a frequency converter. The components of the electronics of the frequency converter are distributed among a plurality of modules, the modules are electrically connected to each other, and the individual modules are arranged radially on the motor and each have an individual closed housing in the mounted state. A cooling arrangement may be provided in which a fan causes a heat-dissipating air stream to pass over the modules and cooling fins arranged between adjacent modules to dissipate heat from the electric motor stator.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An electric motor arrangement, comprising: an electric motor; and a frequency converter having electronic components distributed among a plurality of modules are arranged radially on the electric motor, wherein in a mounted state on the electric motor, the plurality of modules are electrically connected and a housing of each the plurality of modules is closed-off.

14. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein in an unmounted state the housings of the plurality of modules are closed-off.

15. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of modules have plug-type connections.

16. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: a fan arranged to cause a heat-dissipating cooling air stream to pass over the surfaces of plurality of modules.

17. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one module of the plurality of modules includes motor-side power electronics.

18. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one module of the plurality of modules includes power-system-side power electronics.

19. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least one module of the plurality of modules includes a human-machine interface.

20. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the housings of the plurality of modules have the same shape.

21. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of modules includes three modules, a housing of the electric motor includes three module-receiving regions, and each of the module-receiving regions is configured to receive one of the plurality of modules.

22. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: cooling fins configured to dissipate heat of a stator of the electric motor, the cooling fins being arranged in cooling fin regions of the electric motor housing between adjacent ones of the module-receiving regions.

23. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cooling fin regions are covered by at least one motor cover.

24. The electric motor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: a fan arranged to cause a heat-dissipating cooling air stream to pass over the surfaces of plurality of modules; and cooling fins configured to dissipate heat of a stator of the electric motor, wherein at least one module of the plurality of modules includes motor-side power electronics, at least one module of the plurality of modules includes power-system-side power electronics, at least one module of the plurality of modules includes a human-machine interface the housings of the plurality of modules have the same shape, the plurality of modules includes three modules, a housing of the electric motor includes three module-receiving regions, each of the module-receiving regions is configured to receive one of the plurality of module, and the cooling fins are arranged in cooling fin regions of the electric motor housing between adjacent ones of the module-receiving regions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a first view of an electric motor according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a second view of an electric motor according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0019] FIG. 3 shows a third view of an electric motor according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a first view of an electric motor according to the invention in an axial plan view. The electric motor 4 has a flanged connection possibility which is indicated in FIG. 1, in the center of which the drive shaft 5 is illustrated with a further key. The individual modules of the motor electronics, a module comprising a human-machine interface (HMI) 1, a further module comprising the motor-side power electronics 2 and a third module comprising the power-system-side power electronics 3 are arranged radially around the stator of the electric motor 4.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows further parts of the motor cover 6 which cover a number of cooling fins of the motor housing in this illustration, and the housing feet 7, with which the electric motor 4 can be fastened in a system.

[0022] 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.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an oblique view of the entire motor assembly comprising the electric motor 4, the modules of the motor electronics 1, 2 and 3, the drive shaft of the motor 5, the motor cover 6, the housing feet 7 and a fan 8. The fan 8 can be embodied as a motor-shaft-mounted fan or as an external fan. A display 9 by which information can be output to the user is illustrated at the human-machine interface 1. In the case of a touch-sensitive display 9, inputs for controlling the function of the motor assembly could also be made.

[0024] 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.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the motor assembly from the two previous figures from a further prospective. The power-system-side power electronics 3 which are now present at the front have a fixed housing in which various line feedthroughs are provided, wherein the power system connection is made through such a feedthrough. Furthermore, lines can lead from additional external sources into the modules, for example sensors or control lines, in particular bus lines or else supply lines for further actuators, in particular external fans which can also be controlled by the motor assembly. Plug-type connectors can also be provided on the line feedthroughs.

[0026] 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.

[0027] It is particularly servicing-friendly for the configuration of a system if individual modules can be adapted to the local conditions as desired.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0030] 1 Human-machine interface [0031] 2 Motor-side power electronics [0032] 3 Power-system-side power electronics [0033] 4 Electric motor [0034] 5 Drive shaft [0035] 6 Motor cover [0036] 7 Housing feet [0037] 8 Fan [0038] 9 Display