WO2019181472A1

WO2019181472A1 - Identification method for identifying types of brushless dc motors and identification device

Info

Publication number: WO2019181472A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/008517
Authority: WO
Inventors: 秀幸竹本
Original assignee: 日本電産株式会社
Priority date: 2018-03-23
Filing date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2019-09-26

Abstract

The identification method according to the present disclosure is a method for identifying types of brushless DC motors. A brushless DC motor has at least one capacitor, wherein a specific capacitance different for each of the types of a plurality of brushless DC motors is assigned to the at least one capacitor. The identification method includes: supplying power to the brushless DC motor from an identification device via a power supply line; and identifying the types of the brushless DC motors on the basis of an identification voltage being different for the specific capacitance of the at least one capacitor and appearing on the power supply line after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of supplying the power.

Description

Identification method and identification device for identifying type of brushless DC motor

The present disclosure relates to an identification method, an identification device, and a brushless DC motor for identifying the type of a brushless DC motor.

Many electronic devices include, for example, a fan motor as a cooling device for releasing heat generated inside to the outside. In an electronic device, a fan motor is electrically connected to a system controller and operates under the control of the system controller. *

Patent Document 1 discloses an identification method in which a fan motor and a system controller communicate with each other to acquire fan identification information. For example, the mode is switched from the normal mode to the command mode, and the fan motor and the system controller transmit and receive commands via a power supply line, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) line, and a TACH (Tachometer) line. The system controller acquires fan identification information by handshaking and determines compatibility with the fan motor. In this case, both the system controller and the fan require complicated control software such as switching between the normal mode and the command mode.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0152891

A technique for more easily identifying the type of brushless DC motor is desired. *

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a brushless DC motor type identification method and identification apparatus capable of identifying a brushless DC motor type without performing a handshake.

An exemplary identification method of the present disclosure is an identification method used in an identification device that identifies a type of a brushless DC motor, wherein the brushless DC motor includes at least one capacitor connected between a power supply line and a GND line. And the at least one capacitor is assigned a different specific capacity for each type of a plurality of brushless DC motors, and supplies power from the identification device to the brushless DC motor via the power line, The method includes identifying the type of the brushless DC motor based on an identification voltage appearing on the power supply line, which varies depending on the specific capacity of the at least one capacitor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of power supply. *

An exemplary identification device of the present disclosure is an identification device that identifies a type of a brushless DC motor, wherein the brushless DC motor is at least one connected between an inverter that drives the motor, a power supply line, and a GND line. A power supply for supplying power to the brushless DC motor via the power supply line, wherein the at least one capacitor is assigned a different specific capacity for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors. A controller for identifying a type of the brushless DC motor, and the controller appears on the power supply line after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of power supply, depending on the specific capacity of the at least one capacitor. The type of the brushless DC motor is identified based on the identification voltage.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an identification voltage is detected that is connected between a power supply line and a GND line and is based on a specific capacitance of an identification capacitor provided in the brushless DC motor. Thus, a brushless DC motor identification method and identification apparatus capable of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor without performing handshake are provided.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an identification method for identifying the type of a brushless DC motor according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a typical block configuration example of the user system 100 and the brushless DC motor 200 according to the exemplary embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of the internal block configuration of the user system 100. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another block configuration example of the user system 100 and the brushless DC motor 200 according to the exemplary embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an identification method for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200 according to the exemplary embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating how the identification voltage changes with time. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a table used to identify the type of the brushless DC motor 200 in the exemplary embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a further identification method for identifying the type of brushless DC motor 200 according to exemplary embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an identification method for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200 according to the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating how the identification voltage changes with time. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a table used to identify the type of the brushless DC motor 200 in the exemplary embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a typical block configuration example of the user system 100, the identification device 100A, and the brushless DC motor 200 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating another block configuration example of the user system 100, the identification device 100A, and the brushless DC motor 200 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an identification method and an identification apparatus for identifying the type of a brushless DC motor of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in order to avoid the following description from being unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, a more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and repeated descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the apparatus or method exemplified below. For example, it is possible to combine one embodiment with another embodiment. *

Before describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, an overview of an identification method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of an identification method for identifying the type of brushless DC motor according to the present disclosure. *

The identification method according to the present disclosure is an identification method used for an identification device that identifies information about a brushless DC motor output from a brushless DC motor. The brushless DC motor is typically a two-wire motor having a power supply terminal and a GND terminal, and includes at least one capacitor connected between the power supply line and the GND line. In this specification, at least one capacitor may be referred to as an “identification capacitor”. A different specific capacitance is assigned to the identification capacitor for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors. When a power supply voltage, that is, electric power is supplied to the brushless DC motor via the power supply terminal, an identification voltage that varies depending on its specific capacity appears at the power supply terminal. *

The identification method according to the present disclosure includes a step of supplying power from the identification device to the brushless DC motor via a power supply line (step S100), a step of reading an identification voltage that varies depending on the specific resistance of the identification capacitor (step S200), and a read A step of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor based on the identified voltage (step S300). *

According to the identification method according to the present disclosure, it is possible to identify information regarding the brushless DC motor output from the brushless DC motor without performing handshaking. Such information is, for example, information indicating the type or product lot number of the brushless DC motor. *

(Embodiment 1)

[1-1. Configuration example of user system 100 and brushless DC motor 200]

FIG. 2 schematically shows a typical block configuration example of the user system 100 and the brushless DC motor 200 according to the present embodiment. In the present specification, the structure and operation of the brushless DC motor 200 will be described using a fan motor as an example. The brushless DC motor of the present disclosure includes an inner rotor type or an outer rotor type motor. The brushless DC motor 200 is not limited to a fan motor, and is a brushless DC motor used for various applications. The brushless DC motor 200 is, for example, a motor used in home appliances such as an air conditioner or a washing machine and a vehicle-mounted motor.

User system 100 is electrically connected to brushless DC motor 200. The user system 100 can supply power to the brushless DC motor 200. The user system 100 can be installed in a production management system of a brushless DC motor in a factory that produces a variety of products. The user system 100 is a system in an electronic device or an in-vehicle system in which the brushless DC motor 200 can be mounted. For example, the brushless DC motor 200 is suitably mounted on an electronic device such as a server, a desktop personal computer main body, or a game machine. For example, when the brushless DC motor 200 having different specifications is produced at the same place, the user system 100 is a part of a series of inspection systems. Alternatively, when the brushless DC motor 200 is mounted as a fan motor in the main body of a server or a desktop personal computer, the user system 100 is an entire system composed of various electronic components mounted on a motherboard or one of them. Part. *

The user system 100 includes a controller 110 and a memory 120, for example. As will be described later, the user system 100 according to the present embodiment has a function of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. In other words, the user system 100 can be used as an identification device that identifies the type of the brushless DC motor 200. Therefore, in this specification, the user system 100 may be referred to as the identification device 100. *

The controller 110 mainly controls the entire user system 100 and can control power supply to the brushless DC motor 200. The controller 110 can further identify the type of the brushless DC motor 200. The controller 110 is, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit such as MCU (micro control unit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array). *

The memory 120 is, for example, a writable memory (for example, PROM), a rewritable memory (for example, flash memory), or a read-only memory. For example, the memory 120 stores a control program having a command group for causing the controller 110 to identify the type of the brushless DC motor 200. For example, the control program is temporarily expanded in a RAM (not shown) at the time of booting. Note that the memory 120 does not need to be externally attached to the controller 110 and may be mounted on the controller 110. The controller 110 equipped with the memory 120 is, for example, the MCU described above. *

The user system 100 includes a Vmot terminal and a GND terminal as connection terminals for connection to the brushless DC motor 200. The Vmot terminal is a terminal for motor power. For example, the motor power supply voltage Vmot in the range of 7.0 to 13.8V is supplied to the brushless DC motor 200 from the Vmot terminal. *

FIG. 3 schematically shows a more detailed block configuration example inside the user system 100. *

The user system 100 further includes, for example, a DC power supply 151, a voltage detector 152, and a discriminator 153. When referring to the internal block configuration of the user system 100 or the identification device 100, the components of the controller 110, the DC power supply 151, the voltage detector 152, and the discriminator 153 may be simply referred to as “controller 110”. *

The DC power supply 151 is, for example, a constant voltage source, and generates a motor power supply voltage Vmot (for example, 7.0 to 13.8 V) to be supplied to the brushless DC motor 200 during normal motor driving. The normal motor driving means that the motor is driven in a state where the inverter 230 is operated by supplying power to the inverter 230 of the brushless DC motor 200. The DC power supply 151 preferably has a current limiting function for limiting the current. *

The DC power supply 151 supplies power to the brushless DC motor 200 also when identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. The voltage supplied at the time of identification may be equal to or lower than the motor power supply voltage Vmot. A constant current source can be used as the DC power source 151. As a result, a constant current can flow through the power supply line. *

The voltage detector 152 detects an identification voltage appearing on the power supply line, that is, a potential difference between the power supply line and the GND line in identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. The identification voltage corresponds to the voltage of the identification capacitor 250 and indicates a voltage equal to or lower than the rated voltage of the DC power supply 151. Further, the voltage detector 152 measures an arrival time until the identification voltage reaches a predetermined value described later. *

The discriminator 153 identifies the type of the brushless DC motor 200 based on the identification voltage detected by the voltage detector 152 or the measured arrival time. The discriminator 153 is typically mounted on the controller 110. *

Reference is again made to FIG. *

The brushless DC motor 200 is a DC fan including an impeller, for example. The brushless DC motor 200 is, for example, an axial fan, a centrifugal fan, a cross flow fan, or a sirocco fan. The brushless DC motor 200 typically includes a regulator 210, a motor drive IC 220, an inverter 230, a circuit board CB on which those electronic components are mounted, a coil 240, an identification capacitor 250, and a Hall element 260. For example, the regulator 210, the motor drive IC 220, the inverter 230, and the Hall element 260 constitute a motor control circuit for energizing the coil 240 to drive the motor. *

The regulator 210 steps down the motor power supply voltage Vmot of 13.8V, for example, and generates a power supply voltage Vcc (for example, 5.0V) for the motor drive IC 220. In the brushless DC motor 200, the power supply voltage Vcc supplied to the motor drive IC 220 is preferably generated based on the motor power supply voltage Vmot. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a terminal for the power supply voltage Vcc in the brushless DC motor 200, and the number of terminals and lead wires can be reduced. However, the power supply voltage Vcc may be supplied from the user system 100 to the brushless DC motor 200 separately from the motor power supply voltage Vmot. *

The motor drive IC 220 includes, for example, an MCU 221 and is connected to the inverter 230. The MCU 221 generates a PWM signal for controlling the rotation of the motor. The motor drive IC 220 generates a control signal for controlling the inverter 230 according to the PWM signal and outputs the control signal to the inverter 230. *

The MCU 221 incorporates a general timer function. Using this function, the MCU 221 can stop the generation of the PWM signal until a predetermined time elapses after the power supply voltage Vcc is started. The certain time is, for example, about 0.1 s. Thereby, driving of inverter 230 can be stopped until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of application of power supply voltage Vcc. *

For example, the motor drive IC 220 monitors the rotational speed of the motor based on the output from the Hall element 260 and generates a PWM signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the motor. The output method is, for example, 2 pulses per rotation. However, a technique that does not use a Hall element is known. When such a technique is adopted, the Hall element 260 is not essential. *

Inverter 230 is electrically connected to motor drive IC 220 and motor coil 240. The inverter 230 converts the electric power of the motor power into electric power supplied to the fan motor under the control of the motor drive IC 220, and energizes the motor coil 240. *

The coil 240 is a winding of the motor. *

The identification capacitor 250 is a bypass capacitor for suppressing fluctuations in the voltage of the power supply line, and is typically an electrolytic capacitor. The capacity is several hundred μF, for example. The identification capacitor 250 may be a single capacitor, or may include a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel or in series with each other. *

The capacity of the identification capacitor 250 is different for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors. In this specification, such a capacity is referred to as a “specific capacity”. As specific information of the brushless DC motor, different specific capacities are assigned to the identification capacitor 250 for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors. When the identification capacitor 250 includes a plurality of capacitors, the specific capacitance is set by the combined capacitance of these capacitors. *

For example, the identification capacitor 250 can be assigned as unique information of the brushless DC motor for each supplier that manufactures the brushless DC motor. For example, a unique capacity of 100 μF can be assigned to supplier A, a unique capacity of 200 μF can be assigned to supplier B, and a unique capacity of 300 μF can be assigned to supplier C. Furthermore, different specific capacities can be assigned to multiple suppliers. *

For example, the identification capacitor 250 can be assigned as unique information for each product lot. For example, a unique capacity of 100 μF can be assigned to product lot number A, a unique capacity of 200 μF can be assigned to product lot number B, and a unique capacity of 300 μF can be assigned to product lot number C. Furthermore, a unique capacity different from these can be assigned to each of a plurality of product lot numbers. In this way, there are, for example, as many types of brushless DC motors as the number of suppliers or as many as the number of product lots to be managed. *

The brushless DC motor 200 includes, for example, a circuit board CB on which a Vmot terminal and a GND terminal corresponding to the terminal on the user system 100 side are arranged. *

FIG. 4 schematically shows another block configuration example of the user system 100 and the brushless DC motor 200. *

The user system 100 may further include a light emitting element 130. The light emitting element 130 includes, for example, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitted Diode). The light emitting element 130 is a notification device that notifies the identification result of the type of the brushless DC motor 200. For example, the plurality of LEDs can be provided in the number of types of the plurality of brushless DC motors. For example, if there are two types of brushless DC motors of suppliers A and B, two LEDs having different emission colors can be provided. For example, a red LED for supplier A and a blue LED for supplier B can be provided. *

[1-2. Method for identifying type of brushless DC motor 200]

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of an identification method for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200 according to the present embodiment.

The identification method according to the present embodiment is a method used for the identification device 100, for example. In order to prevent mixing of different types of motors in the process of manufacturing a wide variety of products equipped with motors, it is generally necessary to identify the types of brushless DC motors. For example, the identification method of the present disclosure is suitably used for a method of checking the suitability of a brushless DC motor with respect to a user system when manufacturing a product in a factory. For example, the process of checking the suitability of a brushless DC motor can be incorporated as part of the product manufacturing process. *

(Step S100)

First, in a state where terminals of the identification device 100 (user system 100) and the brushless DC motor 200 are electrically connected to each other, for example, a brushless DC from the identification device 100 using a constant voltage source or a constant current source with a current limit is used. Electric power is supplied to the motor 200. The power supply voltage for identification may be lower than the motor power supply voltage Vmot supplied to the brushless DC motor 200 during normal motor driving.

For example, the identification capacitor 250 may be charged by passing a constant current through a power supply line using a constant current source. According to this method, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an excessive inrush current. As a result, detection of an identification voltage described later is stabilized, and the lifetime of the identification capacitor 250 is extended. Furthermore, since the time variation of the identification voltage is linear, it is possible to easily measure the arrival time described later. *

For example, the identification capacitor 250 may be charged by flowing a current larger than the current flowing when the brushless DC motor 200 is driven to the power supply line. According to this method, even when part of the current flows to the motor side, the arrival time can be measured, and the charging time of the identification capacitor 250 can be shortened. *

For example, the identification capacitor 250 may be charged by flowing a current set by current limitation through the power supply line. According to this method, since the time variation of the identification voltage becomes linear, the arrival time can be measured appropriately and easily. *

(Step S210A)

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the change over time of the identification voltage. The horizontal axis of the graph represents time (μs), and the vertical axis represents the identification voltage Vdt (V). For example, the specific capacity of supplier A is 100 μF, the specific capacity of supplier B is 200 μF, and the specific capacity of supplier C is 300 μF.

Since a specific capacity is assigned to each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors, the identification voltage detected at a certain time indicates a voltage that differs for each supplier. The identification voltage Vdt appearing on the power supply line is detected by the voltage detector 152. For example, the voltage detector 152 detects (or samples) the identification voltage Vdt at a time interval of 50 μs. At this time, it is preferable that the voltage detector 152 detects the identification voltage Vdt while the inverter 230 of the brushless DC motor 200 is off, that is, stopped. For example, the drive of the inverter 230 is stopped by using the timer function of the MCU 221 to stop generating the PWM signal until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of power supply. By stopping the drive of the inverter 230, it is possible to suppress a large fluctuation in the drive current flowing through the power supply line as the brushless DC motor 200 rotates. The predetermined time is a time required for identifying the type of motor, and is set to, for example, a time (3600 μs) or more when the identification voltage Vdt of the supplier C having the largest specific capacity is saturated. *

(Step S210B)

When power supply to the brushless DC motor 200 is started, charging of the identification capacitor 250 starts. For example, the identification voltage Vdt when a constant voltage source with a current limit is used rises according to the equation (1). Vdt = I_limit / C1 × time Formula (1)

Here, I_limit is a current limit, C1 is a specific capacity of the identification capacitor 250, and time is a charging time (μs). The time t_reach until the identification voltage Vdt reaches the rated voltage Vsat of the motor power supply voltage Vmot varies depending on the size of the specific capacity C1. This can be used to identify suppliers. t_reach is expressed by equation (2), and C1 is expressed by equation (3). t_reach = Vsat × C1 / I_limit Equation (2)

C1 = t_reach × I_limit / Vsat Equation (3)

The arrival time t_reach differs for each supplier. For example, I_limit is set to 1A and Vsat is set to 12.0V. As shown in FIG. 6, the arrival time t_reach is 1200 μs for supplier A, 2400 μs for supplier B, and 3600 μs for supplier C. For example, when using a constant voltage source with a current limit, as shown in the figure, the identification voltage Vdt changes linearly with time and eventually reaches a predetermined value. *

In one example, the predetermined value of the identification voltage Vdt is the rated voltage Vsat. In this case, since the reference voltage to be compared with the identification voltage Vdt is one, there is an advantage that the power supply circuit can be easily configured. For example, the voltage detector 152 measures the arrival time until the identification voltage Vdt reaches the rated voltage Vsat. Specifically, the voltage detector 152 monitors the identification voltage Vdt detected in step 210A and measures the arrival time. Alternatively, an ammeter (not shown) may be used to measure the delay time from the start of power supply until the inverter 230 operates and the motor drive current begins to flow. For example, the voltage detector 152 measures 1200 μs as the arrival time of the supplier A, measures 2400 μs as the arrival time of the supplier B, and measures 3600 μs as the arrival time of the supplier C. *

In another example, the predetermined value of the identification voltage Vdt is set to a voltage in the range of 10% to 90% of the rated voltage Vsat. The arrival time in this case means, for example, the time until the identification voltage Vdt reaches 60% of the rated voltage. The arrival time is shortened as compared with the case where the rated voltage Vsat is used as a reference, thereby suppressing the influence that variations in power may have on the measurement. *

When the constant voltage source is used, the identification voltage Vdt changes according to the time constant according to the equation (4). The constant R indicates a minute resistance component that is parasitic on, for example, the wiring conductor of the power supply line, the output impedance of the power supply, or the wiring resistance in the motor control circuit. Immediately after the power is turned on, the identification voltage Vdt changes greatly. Therefore, the difference in the identification voltage Vdt due to the difference in capacity between the plurality of brushless DCs 200 becomes small. In the second half, the identification voltage Vdt gradually approaches the rated voltage Vsat, so that an error may occur in the arrival time measurement. Considering this, when a constant voltage source is used, it is preferable to set the predetermined value in a range of 10% to 90% of the rated voltage Vsat.

Vdt = Vmot (1-exp− ( ^{t / RC)} ) Formula (4)

In another example, when the supply of power to the power supply line is started by the voltage detector 152, for example, the arrival time is measured after reading the initial voltage of the identification capacitor 250, and based on the difference between the initial voltage and a predetermined value. May be corrected. For example, when the initial voltage is 4.0 V and the predetermined value is 12.0 V, the corrected arrival time is multiplied based on the expression (2) by multiplying the measured arrival time by the ratio of 12.0 V / 8.0 V. The arrival time is determined. Charges may remain in the identification capacitor 250 due to static electricity or the like, and the initial voltage is not necessarily zero. Even in such a case, the arrival time can be appropriately measured by detecting the initial voltage in advance and correcting the measured arrival time. *

In another example, when the power supply is started by the voltage detector 152, for example, the initial voltage of the identification capacitor 250 is set to 0 V, that is, the electric charge remaining in the identification capacitor 250 is discharged. Then, the arrival time may be measured. For example, the initial voltage of the identification capacitor 250 can be set to 0 V by electrically connecting the power supply line to the GND line before measuring the identification voltage Vdt by the voltage detector 152. This eliminates the need for detecting the initial voltage and correcting the measured arrival time. *

(Step S300)

The classifier 153 is used to identify the type of the brushless DC motor 200 based on the arrival time measured by the voltage detector 152. Specifically, the discriminator 153 refers to the table and identifies the type of motor based on the measured arrival time.

FIG. 7 illustrates a table used for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. The table is a look-up table (LUT) that associates types of a plurality of brushless DC motors with unique information of the plurality of brushless DC motors. The unique information of the brushless DC motor represents an arrival time that differs for each of the plurality of brushless DC motors. The table is stored in the memory 120, for example. As described above, there are, for example, a plurality of types of brushless DC motors for each supplier. For example, there are three types of suppliers A, B, and C. For example, the type of motor can be expressed by, for example, a 3-bit digital signal. *

For example, the discriminator 153 may include an AD converter (not shown). The discriminator 153 converts the arrival time (analog value) measured by the voltage detector 152 into a digital signal. The unique information of the brushless DC motor can also be expressed by a digital value having the same bit width as the AD conversion resolution. The AD converter may be mounted on the voltage detector 152 in the previous stage. *

When identification of the type of the brushless DC motor 200 by the identification device 100 is completed, the stop state of the inverter 230 is released. Thereafter, for example, the motor power supply voltage Vmot is supplied from the DC power supply 151 to the brushless DC motor 200. By supplying a PWM signal from the motor drive IC 220 to the inverter 230, the inverter 230 is started to drive the motor at the normal time. *

According to the identification method of the present embodiment, the type of the brushless DC motor 200 can be identified based on the arrival time until the identification voltage reaches a predetermined value. Since the type of the brushless DC motor 200 can be identified separately from the normal motor driving, the load on the identification device 100 side can be reduced. Furthermore, the conventional communication by handshake between the identification device 100 and the brushless DC motor 200 is unnecessary. Moreover, an existing power supply terminal can be used, and a dedicated terminal for identification need not be newly provided. Product cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts. For the identification, input and output terminals such as a PWM terminal and a TACH terminal are not particularly required, so that a particular advantage is obtained in identifying the type of the two-wire motor. *

The identification method of the present disclosure is suitably used not only at the time of product manufacture but also when, for example, replacing a failed brushless DC motor with a new brushless DC motor. It can be confirmed whether or not the replaced brushless DC motor is compatible with the system. Also, for example, individual products equipped with brushless DC motors are connected to the Internet. So-called IoT (Internet of Things) is realized. For example, an individual product supplier equipped with a brushless DC motor can identify a product equipped with a specific brushless DC motor by analyzing big data including unique information of the brushless DC motor. As a result, quality can be stabilized, for example, by preventing occurrence of defects. *

FIG. 8 shows a further specific example of a flowchart of an identification method for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. *

As shown in FIG. 8, the identification method according to the present embodiment may further include step S <b> 400 for notifying the result of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. *

As an example of the notification method, it is possible to notify the result of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200 using the light emitting element 130 (for example, a plurality of LEDs) shown in FIG. The controller 110 of the identification device 100 identifies the type of the brushless DC motor 200 from among the plurality of LEDs allocated for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors, and the LED allocated to the brushless DC motor 200 to be identified. Light is emitted based on the result. The light emitting element is not limited to the LED, and may be an element that notifies by light. *

For example, a red LED can be assigned to the A supplier, a blue LED can be assigned to the B supplier, and a green LED can be assigned to the C supplier. When the controller 110 of the identification device 100 identifies the brushless DC motor of the C supplier, the controller 110 can cause the green LED to emit light. Thereby, for example, the worker in the factory can visually recognize whether or not the brushless DC motor to be identified is the motor of the C supplier. *

As another example, it is possible to notify the result of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200 using a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display) or a speaker. For example, the identification result can be displayed on the liquid crystal display as character information. For example, it is possible to change the sound level for each type of a plurality of brushless DC motors and sound a speaker. *

As another example, the controller 110 of the identification apparatus 100 may once write the identification result in the memory 120, or may transmit it to another apparatus or device that requires the identification result. These forms are also modes for notifying the identification result. *

(Embodiment 2)

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the type of the brushless DC motor 200 is identified based on the identification voltage that appears on the power supply line after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of power supply to the brushless DC motor 200. Hereinafter, the description of the configuration of the identification device 100 that is common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences from the first embodiment in the identification method will be mainly described.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an identification method for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the change over time of the identification voltage. FIG. 11 illustrates a table used for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. *

(Step S220A)

The voltage detector 152 detects the identification voltage after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of power supply to the brushless DC motor 200. As described above, it is preferable that the voltage detector 152 detects the identification voltage Vdt after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power is supplied with the inverter 230 turned off. For example, the voltage detector 152 detects the identification voltage Vdt after 1800 μs from the start of power supply to the brushless DC motor 200.

For example, the predetermined time is set to be equal to or less than the arrival time until the identification voltage based on the capacitor having the second smallest specific capacitance among the different capacitors for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors reaches a predetermined value. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the predetermined time is set to 1800 μs. The predetermined time is set to an arrival time of 2400 μs or less until the identification capacitor of the supplier B having the second smallest specific capacitance among the suppliers A, B and C reaches the rated voltage of 12.0 V, for example. Alternatively, for example, the predetermined time is set to be equal to or less than the arrival time until the identification capacitor of the supplier A having the smallest specific capacity reaches the rated voltage of 12.0V. In this case, the predetermined time can be set to 600 μs, for example. *

1800 μs after the start of supplying power to the brushless DC motor 200, the identification voltage Vdt of the supplier A has already reached the rated voltage 12.0V, and the identification voltage Vdt of the suppliers B and C has changed linearly. On the way. In this way, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of power supply, each of the three identification voltages has a different value depending on the specific capacity. In this embodiment, the type of the brushless DC motor is identified using this characteristic. *

Similar to the first embodiment, for example, when the supply of power to the power supply line is started by the voltage detector 152, the initial voltage of the identification capacitor 250 is read, and the identification voltage Vdt after the lapse of a predetermined time is determined as the initial voltage and the rated voltage. You may correct | amend based on the difference of these. *

(Step S300)

The classifier 153 identifies the type of the brushless DC motor based on the identification voltage Vdt detected by the voltage detector 152 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, the discriminator 153 refers to the table and identifies the motor type based on the identification voltage Vdt.

As shown in FIG. 11, the unique information of the brushless DC motor represents an identification voltage Vdt after a predetermined time, which is different for each of the plurality of brushless DC motors. For example, when the predetermined time is 1800 μs, the identification voltage of supplier A after the elapse of the predetermined time is 12.0V, the identification voltage of supplier B is 9.0V, and the identification voltage of supplier C is 6.0V. . In other words, the unique information of supplier A is 12.0V, the unique information of supplier B is 9.0V, and the unique information of supplier C is 6.0V. *

According to the present embodiment, it is not particularly necessary to measure the arrival time until the identification voltage Vdt reaches a predetermined value, and it is only necessary to detect the identification voltage Vdt after the predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the hardware or software scale for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200 can be further reduced, and the identification can be performed more easily. *

(Embodiment 3)

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a typical block configuration example of the user system 100, the identification device 100A, and the brushless DC motor 200.

Unlike the first or second embodiment, the identification device 100A according to the present embodiment is a separate device from the user system 100. The identification device 100A includes, for example, an MCU 110A and a light emitting element 130 on which a DC power source 151, a voltage detector 152, and a discriminator 153 are mounted. Note that the DC power supply 151, the voltage detector 152, and the discriminator 153 are not shown in FIG. The identification device 100 </ b> A includes a Vmot terminal and a GND terminal as terminals necessary for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor 200. *

The user system 100, the identification device 100A, and the brushless DC motor 200 are electrically connected to each other between the Vmot terminal and the GND terminal. A power supply voltage can be supplied from the identification device 100A to the brushless DC motor 200 via the Vmot terminal. *

The identification device 100A can identify the type of the brushless DC motor 200 after the power is turned on, for example, according to the processing flow shown in FIG. The MCU 110A may transmit the identification result to the controller 110 of the user system 100. *

FIG. 13 schematically shows another block configuration example of the user system 100, the identification device 100 </ b> A, and the brushless DC motor 200. *

The identification device 100A is electrically connected to the user system 100 and the brushless DC motor 200 via, for example, a test point (TP). TP1 is a power supply TP. TP2 is a TP for GND. A dedicated probe can be connected to the identification device 100A and the type of the brushless DC motor 200 can be identified by applying the probe to the TP. *

Embodiments of the present disclosure are widely used in various devices including various fan motors such as a personal computer, a game machine, a vacuum cleaner, a dryer, a washing machine, and a refrigerator.

Claims

An identification method used for an identification device for identifying the type of a brushless DC motor,

The brushless DC motor has at least one capacitor connected between a power supply line and a GND line, and the at least one capacitor is assigned a different specific capacity for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors,

Supplying power from the identification device to the brushless DC motor via the power line;

An identification method for identifying a type of the brushless DC motor based on an identification voltage appearing on the power supply line, which varies depending on the specific capacity of the at least one capacitor, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of power supply.
The identification method according to claim 1,

The predetermined time is set to be equal to or less than the arrival time until the identification voltage based on the capacitor having the second smallest specific capacitance among the different capacitors for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors reaches a predetermined value.
The identification method according to claim 2,

The predetermined value is a rated voltage of the motor power supply voltage.
The identification method according to claim 2,

The predetermined value is a voltage in the range of 10% to 90% of the rated voltage of the motor power supply voltage.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

The type of the brushless DC motor is identified based on the identification voltage after the predetermined time detected by the voltage detector.
It is the identification method in any one of Claim 1 to 5,

The identification of the type of the brushless DC motor is based on the identification voltage after the lapse of the predetermined time with reference to a table associating the types of the plurality of brushless DC motors with the unique information of the plurality of brushless DC motors. Do.
The identification method according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

Further, when the supply of power to the power supply line is started, an initial voltage of the at least one capacitor is read, and the identification voltage is corrected based on a difference between the initial voltage and the predetermined value.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

In supplying the power, the constant current source is used to flow a constant current through the power supply line to charge the at least one capacitor.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

In supplying the electric power, the at least one capacitor is charged by causing a current larger than a current flowing when the brushless DC motor is driven to flow through the power supply line.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

In the power supply, the at least one capacitor is charged by flowing a current set by current limitation to the power supply line.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

The identification voltage is detected in a state where the drive of the inverter is stopped until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the supply of power.
The identification method according to claim 11, comprising:

The drive of the inverter is stopped using a timer function mounted on the brushless DC motor.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

Furthermore, the identification device is used to notify the result of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

Furthermore, based on the result of identifying the type of the brushless DC motor, the light emitting element assigned to the brushless DC motor to be identified is selected from the plurality of light emitting elements assigned for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors. Make it emit light.
The identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,

The brushless DC motor is a fan motor having an impeller.
An identification device for identifying the type of a brushless DC motor,

The brushless DC motor has an inverter for driving the motor and at least one capacitor connected between a power supply line and a GND line, and the at least one capacitor is different for each type of the plurality of brushless DC motors. A unique capacity is assigned,

A power supply terminal for supplying power to the brushless DC motor via the power supply line;

A controller for identifying the type of the brushless DC motor;

With

The controller identifies a type of the brushless DC motor based on an identification voltage appearing on the power supply line, which differs depending on the specific capacity of the at least one capacitor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the supply of power.