Human-machine interface for motor control

• US 8,981,684 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2011
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Drye, Edward L., Richardson, Howard R., English, Stephen T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ismail, Shawki S
• Assistant Examiner(s): IMTIAZ, ZOHEB S
• Application Number:
  US13/285,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20130106321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 318/162
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/14 wherein gaseous cooling medium circulates between the machine casing and a surrounding mantle

Abstract

A motor assembly includes an electric motor having a stator and a rotor. A housing is coupled to the electric motor. A motor controller is disposed within the housing. A human machine interface (HMI) is selectively detachably coupled to the housing and in communication with the motor controller. The HMI includes a user input for control of the electric motor when the HMI is coupled to the housing and for control of the electric motor when the HMI is separately disposed from the housing.

Claims

1. A motor assembly comprising:

an electric motor including a stator and a rotor;

a controller housing coupled to the electric motor;

a motor controller disposed within the controller housing;

a terminal housing portion coupled to the controller housing and defining a first interface aperture, the terminal housing portion and the controller housing cooperating to define a second interface aperture;

a human machine interface (HMI) selectively coupled to the controller housing and decoupled from the controller housing and in communication with the motor controller when either coupled to the controller housing or decoupled from the controller housing, the HMI including a user input for control of the electric motor when the HMI is coupled to the controller housing and for user control of the electric motor when the HMI is separately disposed from the controller housing;

a first interface cord selectively connected to the HMI and the controller, the first interface cord passing through the first interface adapter when the HMI is decoupled from the controller housing;

a second interface cord selectively connected to the HMI and the controller, the second interface cord passing through the second interface aperture when the HMI is coupled to the controller housing;

wherein one and only one of the first interface cord and the second interface cord are connected between the HMI and the controller during operation of the motor assembly.

2. The motor assembly of claim 1, wherein the HMI includes a display screen.

3. The motor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a terminal cover coupled to the terminal housing portion.

4. The motor assembly of claim 1, wherein the user input includes a program entry button.

5. The motor assembly of claim 4, wherein the user input includes a program override button.

6. The motor assembly of claim 1, wherein the HMI includes a fault indicator.

7. A motor assembly, comprising:

a stator;

a rotor interacting with the stator to rotate with respect to the stator to drive a pump;

a controller housing coupled to the stator and operable to cover at least a portion of the stator;

a motor controller disposed within the controller housing;

a terminal housing portion coupled to the controller housing and defining a first interface aperture, the terminal housing portion and the controller housing cooperating to define a second interface aperture and a power input aperture;

an input terminal positioned in the terminal housing portion and electrically coupled to the motor controller;

a human machine interface (HMI) selectively coupled to the controller housing and decoupled from the controller housing, the HMI including a user input for control of the electric motor when the HMI is coupled to the controller housing and for user control of the electric motor when the HMI is separately disposed from the controller housing;

a first interface cord selectively connected to the HMI and the input terminal, the first interface cord passing through the first interface adapter when the HMI is decoupled from the controller housing;

a second interface cord selectively connected to the HMI and the input terminal, the second interface cord passing through the second interface aperture when the HMI is coupled to the controller housing, wherein one and only one of the first interface cord and the second interface cord are connected between the HMI and the controller during operation of the motor assembly; and

a single power cord passing through the power input aperture and operable to provide power to the motor and the HMI.

8. The motor assembly of claim 7, wherein the HMI includes a display screen.

9. The motor assembly of claim 7, further comprising a terminal cover coupled to the terminal housing portion.

10. The motor assembly of claim 7, wherein the user input includes a program entry button.

11. The motor assembly of claim 10, wherein the user input includes a program override button.

12. The motor assembly of claim 7, wherein the HMI includes a fault indicator.