Abstract: A method for monitoring a motor unit is provided. The method includes: detecting a starting rotor position: ascertaining a non-safety-critical position tolerance range; ascertaining a position offset for the rotor as a function of the ascertained position tolerance range; ascertaining a target rotor position for the rotor based on the starting rotor position and the position offset; specifying a target control pattern based on the ascertained target rotor position; generating and applying a motor control pattern to the motor unit to rotate the rotor to the specified target rotor position using the target control pattern; detecting an actual control pattern controlling the motor unit at an interface between the motor controller and the motor unit; detecting an actual rotor position resulting from the rotation of the rotor using the motor control pattern; and feeding back both the detected actual control pattern and the detected actual rotor position for verification thereof.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a three-phase brushless DC motor. The motor control apparatus comprises a power converter which has, for each phase of the brushless DC motor, an electrical half-bridge having two electronic switches, and an application-specific integrated circuit for actuating the electronic switches of the power converter. The application-specific integrated circuit can be controlled by a programmable control unit in a normal mode, has a first interface for receiving an error signal signaling a malfunction and is designed to change the power converter to a defined final operating state independently of the programmable control unit after receiving the error signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a motor unit is provided. The method includes: detecting a starting rotor position: ascertaining a non-safety-critical position tolerance range; ascertaining a position offset for the rotor as a function of the ascertained position tolerance range; ascertaining a target rotor position for the rotor based on the starting rotor position and the position offset; specifying a target control pattern based on the ascertained target rotor position; generating and applying a motor control pattern to the motor unit to rotate the rotor to the specified target rotor position using the target control pattern; detecting an actual control pattern controlling the motor unit at an interface between the motor controller and the motor unit; detecting an actual rotor position resulting from the rotation of the rotor using the motor control pattern; and feeding back both the detected actual control pattern and the detected actual rotor position for verification thereof.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a three-phase brushless DC motor. The motor control apparatus comprises a power converter which has, for each phase of the brushless DC motor, an electrical half-bridge having two electronic switches, and an application-specific integrated circuit for actuating the electronic switches of the power converter. The application-specific integrated circuit can be controlled by a programmable control unit in a normal mode, has a first interface for receiving an error signal signaling a malfunction and is designed to change the power converter to a defined final operating state independently of the programmable control unit after receiving the error signal.

Abstract: A method for operating a three-phase brushless DC motor with a pulse-width modulation controlled electronic commutation in the event of a malfunction. A maximum number (n) of commutation steps, a direction of motor rotation and at least two possible operating end states are specified, and one of the operating end states is chosen. Following indication of a malfunction, the rotor of the brushless DC motor is rotated at the specified maximum number (n) of commutation steps in the specified direction of motor rotation and the brushless DC motor is then set to the operating end state selected.

Abstract: A method for operating a three-phase brushless DC motor with a pulse-width modulation controlled electronic commutation in the event of a malfunction. A maximum number (n) of commutation steps, a direction of motor rotation and at least two possible operating end states are specified, and one of the operating end states is chosen. Following indication of a malfunction, the rotor of the brushless DC motor is rotated at the specified maximum number (n) of commutation steps in the specified direction of motor rotation and the brushless DC motor is then set to the operating end state selected.

Abstract: An electric drive device (1) comprises a motor converter circuit (3) according to the invention, which includes an intermediate circuit capacitor (16). The intermediate circuit capacitor (16) comprises a parallel circuit of several ceramic capacitors (24). The ceramic capacitors (24) have a lower dissipative resistance and enable better heat removal, so that the motor converter circuit (3) has a comparatively longer service life.