As a case example of the radiation noise of a brush motor, we investigated radiation noise in an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) driven by a DC motor with a built-in brush.
In this investigation, we laid down magnetic tape in a circle on the floor of an anechoic chamber and had the AGV run in a circle on top of that magnetic tape to measure the noise.
The AGV is driven by a DC motor with a built-in brush.
We investigated the radiation noise before noise suppression.
A noise spectrum was observed in a broad frequency band from 30 MHz to 1 GHz.
In addition, a noise spectrum exceeding the noise tolerances was observed in some sections.
We investigated the radiation noise generation mechanism in a manner similar to the commercial robot investigation.
The radiation antenna investigation is extracted and shown here.
When one ferrite core was attached to the cable connecting the motor and the control board, the radiation noise spectrum decreased in all frequency bands. As a result, the noise source, conducting path, and radiation antenna can be considered as shown in (1) through (4) in the figure below.
Brush noise is generated when the brushed motor runs. This brush noise is always generated due to the operating principle of the brushed motor. This brush noise is conducted to the cable shown in (2). Most of the cables used in robots are vinyl coated cables, and shielded cables are rarely used. In other words, when noise is conducted to vinyl coated cables, it is radiated into the surrounding space.
This section explains the radiation antenna investigation that was indicated earlier. When a ferrite core is attached to the cable connecting the motor and control board (cable shown in (2)), the brush noise generated by the motor is inhibited by the ferrite core, which makes it difficult for the noise to flow into the cable. (*Because the cable impedance increases with the ferrite core, it is difficult for the noise to conduct.)
Since it is difficult for the noise to conduct to the cable shown in (2), the noise radiating from the cable decreases.
In this case example, the noise source is the brush noise of the brushed motor, and the radiation antenna was the cable shown in (2).
This section introduces a case example of suppressing brush noise with a filter.
This case example used a common mode choke coil (PLT10HH) and an X capacitor (0.1 uF).
We investigated the noise before and after the suppression with this filter configuration.
By inserting the filter, we are able to reduce the noise spectrum in all frequency bands.
In addition, we were also able to satisfy the noise tolerances and effectively control the radiation noise with a small number of components.