TW202310555A - Motor controller - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor controller comprises a switch circuit and a control unit. The switch circuit is coupled to a motor for driving the motor. The control unit is configured to generate a plurality of control signals to control the switch circuit. The motor controller sequentially determines a first phase, a second phase, a third phase, and a fourth phase based on a rotation direction. When the motor controller is in the first phase and the motor controller is unable to detect a phase switching time point within a starting time, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the second phase, the third phase, or the fourth phase. The motor controller is configured to increasing a success rate of starting the motor.

Description

motor controller

The present invention relates to a motor controller, in particular to a motor controller applicable to a fan motor system.

Traditionally, the driving methods of motors can be divided into two types. One is to use the Hall sensor to switch the phase and then drive the motor to run. The other is to drive the motor without Hall sensors. Since the Hall sensor is easily affected by the external environment, the sensing accuracy will decrease, and the installation of the Hall sensor will increase the size and cost of the system, so a sensorless driving method is proposed to solve the above problems. question.

In the sensorless driving method, the motor controller can switch phases by detecting the back EMF of a floating phase. However, when the motor controller is in a startup state and cannot detect a commutation point within a startup time, a commutation mechanism is needed to switch the phases. Therefore, the present invention proposes a new commutation mechanism to improve the success rate of starting the motor.

In view of the aforementioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a motor controller that can improve the success rate of starting a motor.

The motor controller is provided according to the invention. The motor controller has a switch circuit, a control unit, a detection unit and a counting unit. The switch circuit is coupled to the motor to drive the motor. The control unit is used for generating a plurality of control signals to control the switch circuit. The detection unit is coupled to the switch circuit for generating a phase signal to the control unit. The motor controller sequentially determines a first phase, a second phase, a third phase, and a fourth phase according to a rotation direction. When the motor controller is in the first phase and the motor controller cannot detect a commutation point within a startup time, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the second phase, the third phase , or the fourth phase.

When an output load of the motor controller is a light load, the motor controller is in the first phase, and the motor controller cannot detect the commutation point within the starting time, the motor controller starts from the The first phase is switched to the second phase. When an output load of the motor controller is a heavy load, the motor controller is in the first phase, and the motor controller cannot detect the commutation point within the starting time, the motor controller is from the The first phase is switched to the third phase. When the motor controller detects a reverse state, the motor controller is in the first phase, and the motor controller cannot detect the commutation point within the starting time, the motor controller starts from the first phase A phase is switched to the fourth phase. In order to implement a commutation mechanism more effectively, at least two or more implementation examples are as follows:

1. The startup time is a fixed value. The designer can make the starting time a larger value to increase the success rate of starting the motor. The counting unit is coupled to the detecting unit for calculating the starting time. When the motor controller switches phases, the counting unit is reset.

2. The startup time is a non-fixed value. For example, the previous startup time may be N times the current startup time, where N is greater than zero. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, N may be greater than 1. For example, N can be equal to 2. The counting unit is coupled to the detection unit and is used for calculating the previous activation time and the current activation time. When the motor controller switches phases, the counting unit is reset.

The following description will make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent. Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a motor controller 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The motor controller 10 is used to drive a motor M, wherein the motor M can be a three-phase motor. The motor controller 10 can be applied to a fan motor system. The motor M has a first coil L1, a second coil L2, and a third coil L3. The motor controller 10 has a switch circuit 100 , a control unit 110 , a detection unit 120 , and a counting unit 130 . The switch circuit 100 has a first transistor 101, a second transistor 102, a third transistor 103, a fourth transistor 104, a fifth transistor 105, a sixth transistor 106, a first terminal Point U, a second terminal V, and a third terminal W, wherein the switch circuit 100 is coupled to the motor M to drive the motor M. The first transistor 101 is coupled to a fourth terminal VCC and the first terminal U and the second transistor 102 is coupled to the first terminal U and a fifth terminal GND. The third transistor 103 is coupled to the fourth terminal VCC and the second terminal V, and the fourth transistor 104 is coupled to the second terminal V and the fifth terminal GND. The fifth transistor 105 is coupled to the fourth terminal VCC and the third terminal W and the sixth transistor 106 is coupled to the third terminal W and the fifth terminal GND. The first transistor 101 , the third transistor 103 , and the fifth transistor 105 can each be a P-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor. The second transistor 102 , the fourth transistor 104 , and the sixth transistor 106 can each be an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor.

One terminal of the first coil L1 is coupled to the first terminal U. One terminal of the second coil L2 is coupled to the second terminal V. One terminal of the third coil L3 is coupled to the third terminal W. In addition, the other end of the first coil L1 is coupled to the other end of the second coil L2 and the other end of the third coil L3. That is to say, the first coil L1, the second coil L2, and the third coil L3 are arranged in a Y-shape. The control unit 110 generates a first control signal C1, a second control signal C2, a third control signal C3, a fourth control signal C4, a fifth control signal C5, and a sixth control signal C6 for respectively The conduction of the first transistor 101 , the second transistor 102 , the third transistor 103 , the fourth transistor 104 , the fifth transistor 105 and the sixth transistor 106 is controlled. The detection unit 120 is coupled to the first terminal U, the second terminal V, and the third terminal W for generating a phase signal Vp to the control unit 110 . The detection unit 120 can be used to detect the back electromotive force of a floating phase.

The control unit 110 can respectively generate a first voltage vector, a second voltage vector, a third voltage vector, a fourth voltage vector, a fifth voltage vector, and a sixth voltage vector to the switch circuit 100 for Two of the first coil L1 , the second coil L2 and the third coil L3 are turned on. When the control unit 110 generates the first voltage vector to the switch circuit 100, the control unit 110 will turn on the first transistor 101 and the fourth transistor 104, and not turn on the second transistor 102, the third transistor 103, and the fifth transistor. 105, and the sixth transistor 106, used to conduct the first coil L1 and the second coil L2. At this time, the floating phase is formed in the third coil L3. When the control unit 110 generates the second voltage vector to the switch circuit 100, the control unit 110 will turn on the first transistor 101 and the sixth transistor 106, and not turn on the second transistor 102, the third transistor 103, and the fourth transistor. 104, and the fifth transistor 105, used to conduct the first coil L1 and the third coil L3. At this time, the floating phase is formed in the second coil L2. When the control unit 110 generates the third voltage vector to the switch circuit 100, the control unit 110 will turn on the third transistor 103 and the sixth transistor 106, and not turn on the first transistor 101, the second transistor 102, and the fourth transistor 104, and the fifth transistor 105, used to conduct the second coil L2 and the third coil L3. At this time, the floating phase is formed on the first coil L1. When the control unit 110 generates the fourth voltage vector to the switch circuit 100, the control unit 110 will turn on the second transistor 102 and the third transistor 103, and not turn on the first transistor 101, the fourth transistor 104, and the fifth transistor 105, and the sixth transistor 106, used to conduct the second coil L2 and the first coil L1. At this time, the floating phase is formed in the third coil L3. When the control unit 110 generates the fifth voltage vector to the switch circuit 100, the control unit 110 will turn on the second transistor 102 and the fifth transistor 105, and not turn on the first transistor 101, the third transistor 103, and the fourth transistor 104, and the sixth transistor 106, used for conducting the third coil L3 and the first coil L1. At this time, the floating phase is formed in the second coil L2. When the control unit 110 generates the sixth voltage vector to the switch circuit 100, the control unit 110 will turn on the fourth transistor 104 and the fifth transistor 105, and not turn on the first transistor 101, the second transistor 102, and the third transistor 103, and the sixth transistor 106, used to conduct the third coil L3 and the second coil L2. At this time, the floating phase is formed on the first coil L1. Therefore, when the control unit 110 switches the phases according to the order of the first voltage vector, the second voltage vector, the third voltage vector, the fourth voltage vector, the fifth voltage vector, and the sixth voltage vector, it can drive the motor M to Take a turn. When the control unit 110 switches the phase according to the order of the sixth voltage vector, the fifth voltage vector, the fourth voltage vector, the third voltage vector, the second voltage vector, and the first voltage vector, it will drive the motor M to reverse by one lock up.

Specifically, the motor controller 10 can sequentially determine a first phase, a second phase, a third phase, a fourth phase, a fifth phase, and a sixth phase according to a rotation direction. The direction of rotation can be a forward direction or a reverse direction. In order to improve the success rate of starting the motor M, the motor controller 10 can be designed to successfully complete a starting procedure under different output loads. When the motor controller 10 is in the first phase and the motor controller 10 cannot detect a commutation point within a start-up time, the motor controller 10 can switch from the first phase to the second phase, the third phase, or the third phase. Four phases. For example, when the motor controller 10 is in the first phase and the motor controller 10 cannot detect the commutation point within the starting time, if the output load of the motor controller 10 is a light load, the motor controller 10 can start from The first phase is switched to the second phase to generate a smaller acceleration. Whether the output load is light load can be judged according to the weight of the output load. When the motor controller 10 is in the first phase and the motor controller 10 cannot detect the commutation point within the starting time, if the output load of the motor controller 10 is a heavy load, the motor controller 10 can switch from the first phase To the third phase to produce a larger acceleration. Whether the output load is heavy load can be judged according to the weight of the output load. When the motor controller 10 is in the first phase and the motor controller 10 cannot detect the commutation point within the starting time, if the motor controller 10 detects a reverse state, the motor controller 10 can switch from the first phase to the fourth phase. In addition, the motor controller 10 can obtain the commutation point by detecting the back electromotive force of the floating phase. For example, when the counter electromotive force of the floating phase is greater than a first voltage or less than a second voltage, the detection unit 120 can output the phase signal Vp to notify the control unit 110 to switch the phase. The motor controller 10 can detect the commutation point through a hysteresis comparator. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the start-up time may range from 1 millisecond to 1000 milliseconds. The motor controller 10 can utilize a six-step square wave drive scheme and start-up time to switch phases. In order to implement a commutation mechanism more effectively, at least two or more implementation examples are as follows:

1. The startup time is a fixed value. The designer can make the starting time a larger value to increase the success rate of starting the motor M. The counting unit 130 is coupled to the detection unit 120 for calculating the startup time. When the motor controller 10 switches phases, the counting unit 130 is reset. At this time, the counting unit 130 will count again to recalculate the startup time.

2. The startup time is a non-fixed value. For example, a previous activation time may be N times a current activation time, where N is greater than zero. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, N may be greater than 1. For example, N can be equal to 2. The counting unit 130 is coupled to the detection unit 120 for calculating the previous activation time and the current activation time. When the motor controller 10 switches phases, the counting unit 130 is reset. The motor controller 10 can utilize a non-fixed start-up time to complete the start-up procedure and make it easier to detect commutation points.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor controller 10 can be applied to a sensorless motor system, a DC motor system, and a brushless motor system. When the motor controller 10 is in the first phase and the motor controller 10 cannot detect a commutation point within a start-up time, the motor controller 10 can switch from the first phase to the second phase, the third phase, or the third phase. Four phases. With a new commutation mechanism, the motor controller 10 can be used to increase the success rate of starting the motor M. In addition, the motor controller 10 can be applied to a fan motor system.

Although the present invention has been described by way of examples of preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of claims should be construed in the broadest way to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

10: Motor controller 100: switch circuit 110: Control unit 120: Detection unit 130: counting unit 101: The first transistor 102: second transistor 103: The third transistor 104: The fourth transistor 105: fifth transistor 106: The sixth transistor U: first endpoint V: second endpoint W: the third endpoint VCC: the fourth terminal GND: the fifth terminal C1: The first control signal C2: Second control signal C3: The third control signal C4: The fourth control signal C5: fifth control signal C6: The sixth control signal L1: the first coil L2: second coil L3: third coil M: motor Vp: phase signal

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a motor controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10: Motor controller

100: switch circuit

110: Control unit

120: Detection unit

130: counting unit

101: The first transistor

102: second transistor

103: The third transistor

104: The fourth transistor

105: fifth transistor

106: The sixth transistor

U: first endpoint

V: second endpoint

W: the third endpoint

VCC: the fourth terminal

GND: the fifth terminal

C1: The first control signal

C2: Second control signal

C3: The third control signal

C4: The fourth control signal

C5: fifth control signal

C6: The sixth control signal

L1: the first coil

L2: second coil

L3: third coil

M: motor

Vp: phase signal

Claims (41)

A motor controller comprising: a switching circuit coupled to a motor to drive the motor; and A control unit for generating a plurality of control signals to control the switch circuit, wherein the motor controller sequentially determines a first phase, a second phase, a third phase, and a fourth phase according to a rotation direction phase, when the motor controller is in the first phase and the motor controller cannot detect a commutation point within a starting time, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the second phase, the second Three phases, or the fourth phase. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein when an output load of the motor controller is a light load, the motor controller is in the first phase, and the motor controller cannot be activated within the starting time When the commutation point is detected, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the second phase. In the motor controller described in claim 2 of the patent application, whether the output load is the light load is determined based on a weight of the output load. The motor controller described in item 1 of the scope of application, wherein when one of the output loads of the motor controller is a heavy load, the motor controller is in the first phase, and the motor controller cannot be activated within the start time When the commutation point is detected, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the third phase. The motor controller as described in claim 4 of the patent application, wherein whether the output load is the heavy load is determined according to a weight of the output load. The motor controller described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein when the motor controller detects a reverse state, the motor controller is in the first phase, and the motor controller cannot detect within the starting time When the commutation point is detected, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the fourth phase. The motor controller as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the motor controller is used to improve the success rate of starting the motor. The motor controller described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the switch circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, and the motor controller further includes a detection unit, the The detection unit is coupled to the first terminal, the second terminal and the third terminal for generating a phase signal to the control unit. The motor controller described in item 8 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the switch circuit further includes: a first transistor coupled to a fourth terminal and the first terminal; a second transistor coupled to the first terminal and a fifth terminal; a third transistor coupled to the fourth terminal and the second terminal; a fourth transistor coupled to the second terminal and the fifth terminal; a fifth transistor coupled to the fourth terminal and the third terminal; and A sixth transistor coupled to the third terminal and the fifth terminal. The motor controller as described in claim 8 of the patent application, wherein the motor controller further includes a counting unit coupled to the detection unit for calculating the start-up time. The motor controller as described in item 10 of the scope of the patent application, wherein when the motor controller switches phases, the counting unit will be reset. The motor controller as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the rotation direction is a forward rotation direction. The motor controller as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the rotation direction is a reverse direction. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the starting time is a fixed value. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the starting time is a non-fixed value. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the previous startup time is N times the current startup time, and N is greater than 0. The motor controller as described in claim 16 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the motor controller further includes a counting unit, and the counting unit is used to calculate the previous startup time and the current startup time. The motor controller as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the previous startup time is N times the current startup time, and N is greater than 1. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the motor controller uses a six-step square wave driving mechanism and the starting time to switch phases. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the motor controller obtains the commutation point by detecting a counter electromotive force of a floating phase. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the motor controller further includes a detection unit, when the counter electromotive force of a floating phase is greater than a first voltage or less than a second voltage, the detection unit The measuring unit outputs a phase signal to notify the control unit to switch the phase. The motor controller as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the motor controller uses a hysteresis comparator to detect the commutation point. The motor controller as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the start-up time is within the range of 1 millisecond to 1000 milliseconds. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the motor controller is applied to a fan motor system. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of application, wherein the motor controller is applied to a DC motor system. The motor controller as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the motor controller is applied to a brushless motor system. A motor controller comprising: a switching circuit coupled to a motor to drive the motor; a control unit, used to generate a plurality of control signals to control the switch circuit; a detection unit coupled to the switch circuit for generating a phase signal to the control unit; and A counting unit, wherein the motor controller sequentially determines a first phase, a second phase, a third phase, and a fourth phase according to a rotation direction, when the motor controller is in the first phase and When the motor controller cannot detect a commutation point within a startup time, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the second phase, and the counting unit is coupled to the detection unit for counting the startup time. The motor controller as described in claim 27 of the claimed invention, wherein when the motor controller switches phases, the counting unit is reset. The motor controller as described in claim 27 of the patent application, wherein the starting time is a fixed value. The motor controller as described in item 27 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the starting time is a non-fixed value. The motor controller as described in claim 27, wherein the motor controller uses a six-step square wave driving mechanism and the starting time to switch phases. A motor controller comprising: a switching circuit coupled to a motor to drive the motor; a control unit, used to generate a plurality of control signals to control the switch circuit; a detection unit coupled to the switch circuit for generating a phase signal to the control unit; and A counting unit, wherein the motor controller sequentially determines a first phase, a second phase, a third phase, and a fourth phase according to a rotation direction, when the motor controller is in the first phase and When the motor controller cannot detect a commutation point within a startup time, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the third phase, and the counting unit is coupled to the detection unit for counting the startup time. The motor controller as described in claim 32, wherein the counting unit is reset when the motor controller switches phases. The motor controller as described in item 32 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the starting time is a fixed value. The motor controller as described in claim 32, wherein the starting time is a non-fixed value. The motor controller as described in claim 32, wherein the motor controller utilizes a six-step square wave driving mechanism and the starting time to switch phases. A motor controller comprising: a switching circuit coupled to a motor to drive the motor; a control unit, used to generate a plurality of control signals to control the switch circuit; a detection unit coupled to the switch circuit for generating a phase signal to the control unit; and A counting unit, wherein the motor controller sequentially determines a first phase, a second phase, a third phase, and a fourth phase according to a rotation direction, when the motor controller is in the first phase and When the motor controller cannot detect a commutation point within a startup time, the motor controller switches from the first phase to the fourth phase, and the counting unit is coupled to the detection unit for counting the startup time. The motor controller as described in claim 37 of the claimed invention, wherein when the motor controller switches phases, the counting unit is reset. The motor controller as described in claim 37 of the patent application, wherein the starting time is a fixed value. The motor controller as described in item 37 of the scope of application, wherein the starting time is a non-fixed value. The motor controller as described in claim 37, wherein the motor controller uses a six-step square wave driving mechanism and the starting time to switch phases.

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