Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a driving circuit which is adapted, for a semiconductor device which exhibits a diode characteristic of flowing an abrupt current if the gate-source voltage therein exceeds a predetermined voltage, to have the functions of reducing electric-power consumption in high-load state, reducing the loss in the driving circuit in low-load states, preventing excessive voltages, excessive currents and excessive electric-power consumption, and reducing the loss in the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A first voltage-to-current converter converts a difference voltage between a command voltage and a reference voltage into a current. A second voltage-to-current converter converts a difference voltage between a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal of a PWM drive apparatus into a current. A low-pass filter is connected to a connection point between an output terminal of the first voltage-to-current converter and an output terminal of the second voltage-to-current converter. An amplifier amplifies a difference voltage between a voltage at the connection point and a reference voltage. A PWM modulator PWM-modulates an output voltage of the amplifier. A drive section drives a load in accordance with an output signal of the PWM modulator.

Abstract: A reverse current detection apparatus determines whether an electrical conduction control to a motor coil of a motor is in a predetermined state based on a timing signal representing a timing at which to conduct a source current or a sink current through the motor coil and a control signal for a half bridge in a power stage, and compares the output voltage of the power stage with a threshold value, so as to detect the presence/absence of a reverse flow of a phase current based on these results. A motor driving apparatus for driving a motor under a PWM control includes a rectification switching section for switching a rectification scheme from one to another based on the reverse current detection apparatus and a detection result thereof.

Abstract: A first voltage-to-current converter converts a difference voltage between a command voltage and a reference voltage into a current. A second voltage-to-current converter converts a difference voltage between a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal of a PWM drive apparatus into a current. A low-pass filter is connected to a connection point between an output terminal of the first voltage-to-current converter and an output terminal of the second voltage-to-current converter. An amplifier amplifies a difference voltage between a voltage at the connection point and a reference voltage. A PWM modulator PWM-modulates an output voltage of the amplifier. A drive section drives a load in accordance with an output signal of the PWM modulator.

Abstract: A brushless motor has first and second power transistors which form current paths to three-phase windings so as to rotate a rotor. A position detecting part produces a position signal in response to a rotation of the rotor. An activation operation block controls active operation of the first and second power transistors in response to the position signal. The activation operation block includes a starting operation part which comprises an initial phase setting part, phase changing part and a phase correcting part. The initial phase setting part sets an initial phase of drive signals to the three-phase windings in response to the level of the position signal at the timing of a start signal. The phase changing part changes sequentially the phase of the drive signals to the three-phase windings in the positive direction in response to time.

Abstract: In a motor and a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present invention, a position detecting part 30 comprises a detection signal switching circuit 39A, a noise elimination circuit 38 and a detection circuit 39B, and the detection signal switching circuit 39A is configured to output an inverted detection signal obtained by logically inverting a detection signal until the rotation speed reaches a predetermined rotation speed after the beginning of starting or until a position detection pulse signal FG is detected a predetermined number of times; position detection operation is carried out only during the ON operation of PWM, whereby PWM sensorless starting is carried out.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a position detector for detecting a rotational position of a motor to output the detection result as a position signal, a frequency comparator for comparing frequencies of continuous periods in the position signal and detecting a reversed state in which the frequency of the signal in the later period is higher than the frequency of the signal in the earlier period, a brake change over unit for selecting a reverse torque brake control which applies reverse torque to the rotor for braking or a short brake control which shorts coils of the motor for braking and instructing the brake control. The brake change over unit changes over the brake control from the reverse torque brake control to the short brake control, when a command signal for applying a reverse torque is output and the frequency comparator detects the reversed state.

Abstract: A brushless motor has first and second power transistors which form current paths to three-phase windings so as to rotate a rotor. A position detecting part produces a position signal in response to a rotation of the rotor. An activation operation block controls active operation of the first and second power transistors in response to the position signal. The activation operation block includes a starting operation part which comprises an initial phase setting part, phase changing part and a phase correcting part. The initial phase setting part sets an initial phase of drive signals to the three-phase windings in response to the level of the position signal at the timing of a start signal. The phase changing part changes sequentially the phase of the drive signals to the three-phase windings in the positive direction in response to time.

Abstract: A brushless motor has first and second power transistors which form current paths to three-phase windings so as to rotate a rotor. A position detecting part produces a position signal in response to a rotation of the rotor. An activation operation block controls active operation of the first and second power transistors in response to the position signal. The activation operation block includes a starting operation part which comprises an initial phase setting part, phase changing part and a phase correcting part. The initial phase setting part sets an initial phase of drive signals to the three-phase windings in response to the level of the position signal at the timing of a start signal. The phase changing part changes sequentially the phase of the drive signals to the three-phase windings in the positive direction in response to time.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a position detector for detecting a rotational position of a motor to output the detection result as a position signal, a frequency comparator for comparing frequencies of continuous periods in the position signal and detecting a reversed state in which the frequency of the signal in the later period is higher than the frequency of the signal in the earlier period, a brake change over unit for selecting a reverse torque brake control which applies reverse torque to the rotor for braking or a short brake control which shorts coils of the motor for braking and instructing the brake control. The brake change over unit changes over the brake control from the reverse torque brake control to the short brake control, when a command signal for applying a reverse torque is output and the frequency comparator detects the reversed state.

Abstract: In a motor and a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present invention, a position detecting part 30 comprises a detection signal switching circuit 39A, a noise elimination circuit 38 and a detection circuit 39B, and the detection signal switching circuit 39A is configured to output an inverted detection signal obtained by logically inverting a detection signal until the rotation speed reaches a predetermined rotation speed after the beginning of starting or until a position detection pulse signal FG is detected a predetermined number of times; position detection operation is carried out only during the ON operation of PWM, whereby PWM sensorless starting is carried out.

Abstract: A brushless motor has first and second power transistors which form current paths to three-phase windings so as to rotate a rotor. A position detecting part produces a position signal in response to a rotation of the rotor. An activation operation block controls active operation of the first and second power transistors in response to the position signal. The activation operation block includes a starting operation part which comprises an initial phase setting part, phase changing part and a phase correcting part. The initial phase setting part sets an initial phase of drive signals to the three-phase windings in response to the level of the position signal at the timing of a start signal. The phase changing part changes sequentially the phase of the drive signals to the three-phase windings in the positive direction in response to time.

Abstract: A multi-output switching power source apparatus having a plurality of outputs, wherein electric power regenerated from a load side to one of the outputs can be output as electric power supplied to other loads. The switching power source apparatus comprises a main switching circuit for turning ON/OFF the voltage of a DC power source and for inputting the voltage to the primary winding of a transformer, secondary switching circuits for rectifying AC voltages induced across the output windings, output capacitors for smoothing and outputting the voltages, and a control drive circuit for adjusting the ON/OFF periods of the switching circuits. The outputs are short-circuited during the OFF period of the main switching circuit via the transformer, whereby the fluctuations of the output voltages can be controlled.

Abstract: A multi-output switching power source apparatus having a plurality of outputs, wherein electric power regenerated from a load side to one of the outputs can be output as electric power supplied to other loads. The switching power source apparatus comprises a main switching circuit for turning ON/OFF the voltage of a DC power source and for inputting the voltage to the primary winding of a transformer, secondary switching circuits for rectifying AC voltages induced across the output windings, output capacitors for smoothing and outputting the voltages, and a control drive circuit for adjusting the ON/OFF periods of the switching circuits. The outputs are short-circuited during the OFF period of the main switching circuit via the transformer, whereby the fluctuations of the output voltages can be controlled.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a movable object to be charged. A charging member contacts the object to be charged. A power source applies a voltage to the charging member, wherein the power spectrum PS satisfies the following relation when the space frequency of the profile of the surface of the charging member is analyzed.In the section of 10.ltoreq.f.ltoreq.100 (cycles/mm):PS.ltoreq.-2.5.times.log(f/2)(.mu.m.sup.2)In this way, the charging device prevents charge unevenness due to undulations on the surface of the charging member and charges uniformly while generating very little ozone.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a movable object to be charged. A charging member contacts the object to be charged. A power source applies a voltage to the charging member, wherein the power spectrum PS satisfies the following relation when the space frequency of the profile of the surface of the charging member is analyzed.In the section of 10.ltoreq.f.ltoreq.100 (cycles/mm):PS.ltoreq.-2.5.times.log (f/2)(.mu.m.sup.2)In this way, the charging device prevents charge unevenness due to undulations on the surface of the charging member and charges uniformly while generating very little ozone.