Reciprocating Or Oscillating Motor Patents (Class 318/119)
  • Patent number: 11539279
    Abstract: A haptic engine includes a gap-closing actuator having a double-wound driving coil in which the two windings can be activated with two driving sources, respectively. Or, the two windings double-wound driving coil can be activated with a single driving source when the two windings are connected with each other either in series or in parallel. By using the double-wound driving coil in the gap-closing actuator as described, an instant inductance of either of the two windings can be determined without having to measure in real time a resistance of the corresponding winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Riccardo Tarelli, Yumeng Liu
  • Patent number: 11325154
    Abstract: For a resonator system such as a (haptic) LRA, a methodology for resonant frequency (F0) tracking/control with continuous resonator drive, based on estimating back-emf, including estimating resonator resistance based at least in part on the sensed resonator drive signals, with back-emf estimated based at least in part on the sensed resonator drive signals and the estimated resonator resistance. A phase difference is detected between the resonator drive signals, and the estimated back-emf signals, generating control for resonator drive frequency, which can be used to iteratively adjust the resonator drive frequency until phase coherent with the estimated back-emf signals (F0 lock), such as for driving the resonator at or near a resonant frequency. An amplitude control loop can be used to iteratively adjust resonator drive amplitude based on a difference between estimated back-emf and a target back-emf derived from a rated back-emf and the resonator frequency resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Supriyo Palit
  • Patent number: 11121662
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method for closed loop phase tracking comprised of determining a first estimated resonant frequency, generating a motor drive signal at the first estimated resonant frequency and applying the motor drive signal to a motor, measuring current and voltage of the motor drive signal, and filtering the measurements of current and voltage of the motor drive signal. The phase difference between the filtered current and voltage waveforms is measured and a second estimated resonant frequency is calculated. The generated motor drive frequency is adjusted to equal the second estimated resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Supriyo Palit, David Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10958203
    Abstract: There are provided a method, a system and a device for calibrating a frequency of a driving voltage waveform for a linear resonance device. An actual sampling frequency is continuously corrected, so that a difference between a measured natural frequency of the linear resonance device obtained during a calibration process and a frequency of a standard driving voltage waveform stored in a driving chip for the linear resonance device is in a predetermined range. The driving chip outputs a driving waveform at a finally corrected actual sampling frequency, to drive the linear resonance device. Further, only an actual sampling frequency is required to be adjusted, and it is not required to modify waveform data stored in the driving chip for the linear resonance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Shanghai Awinic Technology Co., LTD
    Inventors: Zhijun Meng, Shaofu Wu, Guanxing Zhao, Dajun Wu
  • Patent number: 10423219
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus is connected to a power supply and changes operation in accordance with variation of a power supply voltage of the power supply in accordance with drive of another electrical apparatus connected to the same power supply. The electrical apparatus includes a drive unit driven by the power supply, a voltage detection unit, a current detection unit, and a control unit which sets a threshold value with which a circuit breaker which breaks the power supply is not driven, based on (i) a power supply voltage of the power supply detected by the voltage detection unit when the drive unit is driven, (ii) a power supply voltage of the power supply detected by the voltage detection unit when the drive unit is not driven, and (iii) a current detected by the current detection unit when the drive unit is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruaki Akasaka, Shinichi Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 9845797
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reciprocating compressor. The present invention can prevent friction loss or abrasion between a cylinder and a piston, which is caused when a hydraulic bearing is blocked with a foreign substance, by preventing the foreign substance mixed in refrigerant gas from flowing into the hydraulic bearing, and can improve compressor performance by preventing a specific volume in a compression space from increasing when high-temperature refrigerant gas discharged in the compression space is cooled, such that vibration noise of the compressor can be reduced since a gas guiding part offsets vibration and the noise generated when a refrigerant is discharged in the compression space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunghyun Ki, Kiwon Noh, Kwangwoon Ahn, Kyeongbae Park, Simoon Jeon, Joonsung Park
  • Patent number: 9759211
    Abstract: A control method and system for a resonant linear compressor applied for controlling the capacity of a cooling system. The method includes: a) reading a reference operation power (Pref) of the motor of the compressor; b) measuring an operation current (iMED); c) measuring an operation voltage of a control module of the compressor; d) calculating an input power (PMED) of the motor as a function of the operation current (iMED) and of the operation voltage; e) comparing the input power (PMED) with the reference operation power (Pref); f) if the reference operation power (Pref) is higher than the input power (PMED), then increase an operation voltage of the compressor (UC); g) if the reference operation power (Pref) is lower than the input power (PMED), then decrease the operation voltage of the compressor (UC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Paulo Sérgio Dainez, Dietmar Erich Bernhard Lilie, Márcio Roberto Thiessen
  • Patent number: 9513456
    Abstract: A lens driver circuit determines the resonant frequency at a number of positions that a lens can move to so that the lens can move from an old position to a new position in two steps where the second step occurs a delay time after the first step. The delay time can be one-half of the period of the resonant frequency at the new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jussi Petteri Tikkanen, Juha Jorma Sakari Karttunen
  • Patent number: 9500466
    Abstract: A motor control diagnostic apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a control module in communication with a multiple phase electric power steering motor, the control module configured to generate multiple phase duty cycle outputs based on a voltage command generated from a motor torque command and motor position. The apparatus also includes a diagnostic module configured to analyze a reasonableness of the duty cycle outputs based on comparing the duty cycle outputs to expected duty cycle outputs, wherein the expected duty cycle outputs are estimated based on determining the electrical revolution sector of each motor phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jason M. Erlenbeck
  • Patent number: 9306486
    Abstract: Linear compressor comprising a resonant linear motor (4) having a stator (9) and a linear displacer (3), the linear motor (4) cooperating with a resonant spring (2) that is driven by the linear displacer (3) at one of the ends of the resonant spring (2) with the opposite end of the resonant spring (2) cooperating with a mechanical actuation element (1). A variation sensor of magnetic flux (5) cooperates with the resonant spring (2). Said variation sensor of magnetic flux (5) comprising a fixed part (7) and a movable part (6), the movable part (6) coupled to the end of the resonant spring (2) opposite to the end cooperating with the linear displacer (3). The variation sensor of magnetic flux (5) is the sole means required to determine the displacement amplitude and the frequency of oscillation of the displacer (3) of the linear motor (4). Corresponding method for controlling the stroke in such a linear compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Douglas Pereira da Silva, Paulo Sérgio Dainez, Renê Adriano Weise
  • Patent number: 9018887
    Abstract: An ultrasonic electro-mechanical resonant system and instrument that provides improvements in the design and implementation of a feedback system. The disclosed configuration and orientation of coils enhance the motional or velocity feedback signals while minimizing the effects of transformer coupling. A two coil and a three coil approach is disclosed that takes advantage of non-homogeneous magnetic fields. An asymmetrical arrangement enables velocity signals to be coupled into the coils without requiring additional signal conditioning or capacitive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Westdale Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Paschke
  • Patent number: 9000691
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a vibration motor, in which there are provided: a unit that generates a drive signal for generating elliptic motion; a unit that switches the drive signal with a voltage from a power supply, and changes a pulse width of the drive signal; a unit that detects a current flowing in an electromechanical energy conversion element through the switching unit; a unit that detects a position and a velocity of an object to be driven; and a control unit that controls the respective units, and sets the velocity of the object to be driven. The control unit controls a frequency and the pulse width of the drive signal so as to exercise a maximum output characteristic with respect to a target velocity within a range in which the current detected by the current detection unit does not exceed a given limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akio Atsuta
  • Patent number: 8970142
    Abstract: A control apparatus (10) includes a position detection unit (108) which detects a position of a mover of a linear motor (20) based on a change in an output signal from a magnetic sensor (27), a position control unit (102) which calculates a speed command value based on the position of the mover detected by the position detection unit (108) and a position command value of an external input, an estimation unit (150) which estimates a moving speed of the mover from a current value of a current flowing to a plurality of coils of the linear motor (20), a speed control unit (104) which calculates a current command value based on the speed command value and the estimated moving speed, and a power converter (106) which supplies power to the plurality of coils according to the current command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8963454
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a compressor is provided. When grounding the apparatus for controlling a compressor, an analog circuit ground and a digital circuit ground may be insulated from each other to protect the apparatus. A ground of an analog circuit driven by commercial alternating current (AC) power, and a ground of a digital circuit driven by a voltage which has been converted from commercial AC power, may also be insulated from each other by a simple circuit device to protect a controller inside the digital circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaeyoo Yoo, Boram Lee
  • Patent number: 8957609
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a vibration motor, in which there are provided: a unit that generates a drive signal for generating elliptic motion; a unit that switches the drive signal with a voltage from a power supply, and changes a pulse width of the drive signal; a unit that detects a current flowing in an electromechanical energy conversion element through the switching unit; a unit that detects a position and a velocity of an object to be driven; and a control unit that controls the respective units, and sets the velocity of the object to be driven. The control unit controls a frequency and the pulse width of the drive signal so as to exercise a maximum output characteristic with respect to a target velocity within a range in which the current detected by the current detection unit does not exceed a given limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akio Atsuta
  • Patent number: 8890447
    Abstract: Startup of motor is reliably executed and sonic noise is reduced. A control circuit controls a selector to apply control to output a full-drive waveform at startup and then output a PWM modulation waveform. The full-drive waveform which is an alternating waveform in which positive and negative are inverted at 180° is output. Then, the PWM drive waveform is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8853976
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration absorbing device. A vibration absorbing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first magnetic force generation member fixed to an external portion that is separated from a vibration source and a second magnetic force generation member provided in one side of the vibration source. When vibration is generated by the vibration source, the direction and magnitude of a magnetic force of one of the first magnetic force generation member and the second magnetic force generation can be controlled such that the second magnetic force generation member can move in a direction for attenuating the vibration of the vibration source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Yun Ho Shin, Seok Jun Moon, Young-Chul Huh, Byung Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8841869
    Abstract: In summary, the present invention relates to a device, a method and a computer program enabling a rotating and translating movement by means of a single motor. An electric motor (102) for linear and rotary movement can comprise a stator (104) having a multi-phase coil arrangement including a number of coils or coil sets and a rotor (106) being movable along a direction of its rotational axis and having a number of poles respectively comprising at least one permanent magnet. A control unit (108) may determine currents based on at least the number of coils or coil sets, an angle of rotation of the rotor and a parameter depending on an axial position of the rotor, and supply the determined currents to the coils or coil sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Georgo Zorz Angelis, Hendrikus Martinus Wilhelmus Goossens
  • Patent number: 8841868
    Abstract: A substantially spherical rotor can be controlled with accuracy even in a relatively low speed rotation. In controlling rotational motions of a rotor 3 of a spherical ultrasonic motor 1, phases of voltages to be applied to three stators 9a, 9b, 9c are determined to set the direction of a rotation axis of the rotor 3. Frequencies of voltages to be applied to the three stators 9a, 9b, 9c are adjusted to control the rotation speed of the rotor 3. Thereby, control with high accuracy is enabled in a relatively low speed rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
    Inventors: Shigeki Toyama, Masahiko Hoshina
  • Patent number: 8829843
    Abstract: A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil with a nonconducting period inserted between conducting periods. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to a coil. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil during the nonconducting period. A zero-cross detecting unit detects the zero cross of the induced voltage detected by the induced voltage detector. The drive signal generator estimates the eigen frequency of the linear vibration motor based on a detected position of the zero cross, and the frequency of the drive signal is brought close to the estimated eigen frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8766564
    Abstract: A system for and method of reducing the effects of preheat period variation in shape memory alloy actuation, include sensing the removal of motion delay due to slack, backlash, and/or compliance in the actuator and drive-train of the system, and determining actuator activation, as a result thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Lei Hao, Paul W. Alexander, Guillermo A. Herrera, Nancy L. Johnson, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Alan L. Browne
  • Patent number: 8766565
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor-driven mechanical system with a detection system to measure properties of a back channel and derive oscillatory characteristics of the mechanical system. Uses of the detection system may include calculating the resonant frequency of the mechanical system and a threshold drive DTH required to move the mechanical system from the starting mechanical stop position. System manufacturers often do not know the resonant frequency and DTH of their mechanical systems precisely. Therefore, the calculation of the specific mechanical system's resonant frequency and DTH rather than depending on the manufacturer's expected values improves precision in the mechanical system use. The backchannel calculations may be used either to replace or to improve corresponding pre-programmed values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Lyden, Javier Calpe-Maravilla, Mark Murphy, Eoin English, Denis Martin O'Connor, Tudor Vinereanu, Alan Cahill, Sean Brennan
  • Patent number: 8736201
    Abstract: In a drive control circuit of a linear vibration motor, a drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to the coil. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil. After a running of the linear vibration motor has terminated, the drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal whose phase is opposite to that of the drive signal generated during the motor running; this drive signal of opposite phase includes a high impedance period during which the driver unit is controlled to a high impedance state. The induced voltage detector detects the induced voltage occurring in the coil during the high impedance period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8736202
    Abstract: In a drive control circuit of a linear vibration motor, the drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal whose phase is opposite to that of the drive signal generated during the motor running, after the running of the linear vibration motor has terminated; this drive signal of opposite phase includes a high impedance period during which the driver unit is controlled to a high impedance state. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil. A comparator has a function as a hysteresis comparator in which the output level does not vary in a predetermined dead band, and the comparator outputs a high-level signal or a low-level signal during the high impedance period. When an in-phase signal is consecutively outputted from the comparator during the consecutive high-impedance periods, the drive signal generating unit determines that the linear vibration motor has come to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Publication number: 20140125255
    Abstract: A motor control device which controls rotation of a motor to which an object to be controlled is connected through a link mechanism, the motor control device comprising: a parameter input means configured to input information about operation start and end positions of the object to be controlled and parameters necessary for controlling the motor including at least rotation speed information of the motor; a position detection means configured to detect a position of the object to be controlled; and a driving control means configured to calculate a deceleration start position from the information about the operation start and end positions to drive the motor, and to perform a subtraction operation on the target rotation speed when it is detected that the object to be controlled has reached the deceleration start position to drive the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Amagasa
  • Patent number: 8716960
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a spindle, a spindle nut, a transmission, an electrical motor, and an actuation element, is arranged to linearly move the actuation element by means of an interaction of the spindle and the spindle nut, which interaction is being driven by the electrical motor through the transmission. A position of the actuation element, the relative position between spindle and spindle nut, is determined by means of an absolute rotary position sensor and a counter. The counter keeps track of the number of under-flows and over-flows the absolute rotary position sensor generates during movement of the actuation element. A combination of a value from the absolute rotary position sensor and a count from the counter determines the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Johannes Andrianus Maria Duits, Mario Rossi
  • Publication number: 20140117888
    Abstract: A mechanical component has: a mount; an adjustable part selectively set at least into a first vibration mode having a first natural frequency and into a second vibration mode having a second natural frequency; a first sensor unit providing a first sensor signal; and a second sensor unit providing a second sensor signal. The first and second sensor units are interconnected in such a way that an overall signal is generated with the aid of at least the first and second sensor signals, the overall signal having an overall ratio of a first maximum absolute value which arises in the event of an excitation of the first vibration mode, and a second maximum absolute value which arises in the event of an excitation of the second vibration mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Mohamad IYAD AL DIBS, Frederic NJIKAM NJIMONZIE, Joerg MUCHOW
  • Patent number: 8708662
    Abstract: A linear compressor for adjusting a variable rate of a cooling capacity is provided. The linear compressor may include a fixed member having a compression space formed therein, a movable member linearly reciprocated in the fixed member to compress a refrigerant drawn into the compression space, one or more springs provided to elastically support the movable member in the motion direction of the movable member, a motor unit including a motor connected to the movable member to linearly reciprocate the movable member in the axial direction and a capacitor connected in series to the motor, and a motor control unit controlling an AC voltage applied to the motor to adjust a variable rate of a cooling capacity by the reciprocation of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronic Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Seok Hu, Shin Hyun Park, Young Geul Kim, Kyo Lyong Kang
  • Patent number: 8669723
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus of a vibration-type actuator for generating an elliptical motion of contact portions by a common alternating current signal including a frequency determining unit for setting a frequency of the alternating current signal. The frequency determining unit sets the frequency of the alternating current signal for changing an ellipticity of the elliptical motion, within a frequency range such that ellipticity changing frequency ranges set for the vibrators are overlapped, and the ellipticity changing frequency ranges are set for the vibrators as frequency ranges between an upper limit and a lower limit, such that the lower limit is a maximum resonant frequency at a time of changing the ellipticity, and the upper limit is larger than the lower limit and is a maximum frequency for the relative movement of the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Kudo
  • Patent number: 8653764
    Abstract: A power saw having a reciprocating blade, including a housing having a handle portion for holding the saw; a variable speed motor in the housing for driving the reciprocating blade; a mechanism configured to move the reciprocating blade in a non-linear path; an electronic controller for controlling the operation of the motor; a trigger switch configured to provide an electrical signal to the controller that is proportional to the amount of travel that the switch is moved, wherein the signal causes the controller to operate the motor through a range of operating speeds; and a mode switch operatively connected to the controller and including a first mode providing normal operating speeds responsive to the trigger switch being selectively moved through its range of travel, and a second mode wherein the operating speeds are within the range of about 50% to about 80% of the normal operating speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stephen C. Oberheim
  • Patent number: 8624448
    Abstract: The invention is an electrodynamic linear oscillating motor, which has high power densities in the magnet gap, a high efficiency, and magnetically restores the oscillating system to a center position. The linear oscillating motor has a stator system, which has at least one magnet, and an oscillating system, which is movably mounted in the magnetic field of the stator. The oscillating system has at least one core made of a soft magnetic material, and at least one driving coil. The electrodynamic linear motor combines the advantages of the known moving coil and moving magnet linear motor, achieving electrodynamic conversion levels of up to 99%. The motor is suited as a drive for refrigerating and air conditioning systems having low power and also for pumping and injection systems, and, reversing the electrodynamic principle, as a generator, such as for shock absorber systems in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Institute fuer Luft- und Kaeltetechnik gemeinnutzige GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Kaiser, Juergen Klier
  • Patent number: 8598817
    Abstract: An adaptive system for a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush, having a workpiece which is driven through an amplitude of motion by a drive mechanism which includes a stator member includes a circuit (13) for measuring average electrical current through the stator member and stored information (19) in the personal care appliance which relates the average current values through the stator during operation of the device to corresponding amplitude of motion of the workpiece. A processor (17) utilizing a stored program adjusts the operating frequency to produce a stator current value which correlates to the desired amplitude of motion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Miller, Ari Lumbantobing, Meindert Lambertus Norg
  • Patent number: 8581538
    Abstract: A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil with a nonconducting period inserted between conducting periods. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to a coil. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil during the nonconducting period. A zero-cross detecting unit detects the zero cross of the induced voltage detected by the induced voltage detector. The drive signal generator estimates the eigen frequency of the linear vibration motor based on a detected position of the zero cross, and the frequency of the drive signal is brought close to the estimated eigen frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8575870
    Abstract: A vibratory driving device includes a shaft-like driving member, an electromechanical transducer which can incline the driving member and which also can displace the driving member in the axial direction of the driving member, a movable member which slidably engages on the driving member, a driving circuit which can apply to the electromechanical transducer a frictional driving voltage displacing the driving member back and forth with a speed varying asymmetrically in the axial direction to slidingly displace the movable member with respect to the driving member and a periodic inclination driving voltage oscillating the driving member, a resonance frequency meter which measures a resonance frequency of the inclining oscillation of the driving member, and a position estimator which estimates a position of the movable member based on the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Shibatani
  • Patent number: 8550789
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a linear compressor which makes it possible to precisely operate a voltage using a current without having a high-capacity capacitor connected in series to a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Seok Hu, Shin Hyun Park, Young Geul Kim, Kyo Lyong Kang
  • Patent number: 8547048
    Abstract: A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil with a nonconducting period inserted between conducting periods. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to a coil. The drive signal generating unit estimates the eigen frequency of a linear vibration motor based on a detected position of the zero cross occurring in the coil during the nonconducting period, and the frequency of the drive signal is brought close to the estimated eigen frequency. The zero-cross detecting unit sets a detection window for avoiding the detection of zero cross of voltages other than the induced voltage. The zero-cross detecting unit enables a zero cross detected within the detection window and disables a zero cross detected outside the detection window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8531139
    Abstract: In a drive control circuit of a linear vibration motor, a differential amplifier circuit includes an operational amplifier in which an P-channel type transistor is used as a transistor that receives an input voltage, and the differential amplifier circuit detects an induced voltage occurring in a coil. Before the H-bridge circuit is controlled to a high impedance state, a drive signal generating unit turns on a first transistor and a second transistor, and delivers a regenerative current through the coil, the first transistor, the second transistor and the power supply potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: On Semiconductor Trading, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8466638
    Abstract: A small electric appliance is described which comprises an oscillation-capable mechanism (4), an electric motor (1) to drive the oscillation-capable mechanism (4), wherein the electric motor (1) can be operated with a drive current (10) at a predetermined frequency (f), and a device (3) for adjusting the frequency (f) of the drive current of the electric motor (1). Furthermore, a method for adjusting the frequency (f) of a drive current (10) of an electric motor is described comprising the following steps of detecting, at a specified time (tmeas), in relation to the period of the drive current, an electric variable (20) generated by the electric motor (1) determining, at the specified measuring time (tmeas), whether the detected electric variable (20) essentially has a zero-crossing and changing the frequency (f) of the drive current until the detected electric variable (20) essentially has a zero-crossing at the measuring time (tmeas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Torsten Klemm, Ingo Vetter, Uwe Jungnickel
  • Patent number: 8415903
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor in which driving signals of two phases are applied to a vibrator having a driving member in contact with a driven member to simultaneously generate a longitudinal vibration and a flexural vibration, thereby generating an elliptic vibration in the vibrator, and the driving member frictionally drives the driven member upon obtaining a driving force from the elliptic vibration, is configured as follows. Namely, the ultrasonic motor includes a driving phase difference switching unit which switches a driving phase difference serving as a phase difference between the driving signals of the two phases, and changes a switching cycle of the driving phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8314582
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling a motor in an image reading apparatus. It may be possible to optimize the drive current of the motor for driving the movement of the scanning module by using information associated with, for example, the time it takes for the scanning module to return to a home or rest position after the scanning module is moved from the home position to a predetermined position. Such optimized drive current can result in improvements in the reading performance of an image by the image reading apparatus and reduction of power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji Young Byun
  • Patent number: 8288970
    Abstract: An adaptive system for a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush, having a workpiece which is driven through an amplitude of motion by a drive mechanism which includes a stator member includes a circuit (13) for measuring average electrical current through the stator member and stored information (19) in the personal care appliance which relates the average current values through the stator during operation of the device to corresponding amplitude of motion of the workpiece. A processor (17) utilizing a stored program adjusts the operating frequency to produce a stator current value which correlates to the desired amplitude of motion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Miller, Ari Lumbantobing, Meindert Lambertus Norg
  • Patent number: 8228010
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmission of electrical power includes an AC voltage source configured to produce AC voltage. A stator includes a primary winding arrangement electrically fed from the AC voltage source, the primary winding arrangement having at least two primary windings. A rotor includes a secondary winding arrangement inductively coupled to the primary winding arrangement of the stator, the rotor being rotatable in a rotation direction about a rotation axis. The rotation axis does not pass through the at least two primary windings, and the at least two primary windings each extend over a predetermined sector with respect to the rotation direction and are disposed offset with respect to one another with in the rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Hossein Safari Zadeh
  • Patent number: 8222841
    Abstract: A method of controlling a moving part of a voice coil motor to move from an first position to a second position, wherein the position of the moving part is controlled by the level of an electrical signal applied to a coil of the voice coil motor, a first level of the electrical signal corresponding to the first position, and a second level of the electrical signal corresponding to the second position, the method including: at a first time, changing the electrical signal from the first level to an intermediate level, the intermediate level being chosen such that a peak overshoot of the moving part corresponds to the second position; and at a second time calculated to correspond to a delay of half an oscillation period of the moving part after the first time, changing the electrical signal to the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble) SAS
    Inventor: Tarek Lule
  • Patent number: 8203290
    Abstract: This vibrating element includes a movable portion driven to vibrate at a prescribed resonance frequency, a driving portion vibrating the movable portion by cyclically supplying a pulse signal and a detecting portion detecting the vibrational state of the movable portion, while the driving portion is so formed as to supply the pulse signal at a first frequency substantially identical to the resonance frequency of the movable portion at least in starting and to cyclically supply the pulse signal at a second frequency smaller than the first frequency in detection of the vibrational state of the movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsubara, Seiji Takemoto, Tomohisa Hirai, Manabu Murayama
  • Patent number: 8203299
    Abstract: Machine (10) with an NC control unit (11) and at least one motor (12) which can be triggered by said control unit (11) and which forms an oscillatory system with its bearing and/or parts of the machine (10). The control unit (10) injects control variables (S1) into the motor (12) which trigger a desired motion of the motor (12). When necessary, the control unit (11) additionally injects predetermined signal variables (S2) into the motor (12) which trigger desired mechanical oscillations of the oscillatory system. The signal variables (S2) are predetermined in such a way that the mechanical oscillations are audible and/or tangible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Klingelnberg AG
    Inventor: Martin Zagromski
  • Patent number: 8193755
    Abstract: An actuator comprising a reversible electric motor, which over a gearing, drives an activation element which can move back and forth. The activation element is of the non-self-locking type. Furthermore the motor and gearing are of a non self locking type. A brake holds the activation element in any position, when the electric motor is inactive, said brake can be released by means of a release mechanism. The motor is used as generator when the brake is released and the generator voltage from it is used to adjust the velocity of the activation element. Thus, a quick release is provided, where the activation element can be disengaged and adjusted evading gear and motor, and where the movement of the activation element, during the disengagement, occurs with a controlled velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Svend Erik Knudsen Jensen, John Abrahamsen
  • Patent number: 8143817
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a stator and a movable body. The stator includes a core provided with magnetic poles and a coil wound on at least one of the magnetic poles. The movable body includes a permanent magnet and supported in such a manner as to make reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the permanent magnet opposes the magnetic poles. The movable body is reciprocated upon applying an alternating voltage to the coil. An electromagnetic actuator driving method for driving the electromagnetic actuator includes performing feedback control of the alternating voltage in which the alternating voltage is applied to the coil during a first half of a control period and in which an induced electromotive force generated in the coil during a second half of the control period is used as a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Izumi, Yasuo Ibuki
  • Patent number: 8138693
    Abstract: A computing unit simulates an ideal operation of a vibration excitation actuator by using at least a model operation parameter and the vibration-excitation movable mass data and calculates a parameter corresponding to acceleration/deceleration thrust for moving the vibration-excitation movable mass. A vibration isolation controller determines a control content of a vibration isolation driving unit based on the parameter corresponding to the acceleration/deceleration thrust and controls an operation of the vibration isolation driving unit so that a force canceling a reaction force, which acts on an apparatus when a vibration-excitation movable mass is moved, acts on the apparatus by moving the vibration isolation movable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Terada, Tetsuaki Nagano, Kiyoshi Maekawa, Emiko Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 8089227
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a removable end cap at its free end area directed away from the bristles, which end cap closes off an inner space of a grip element. The end cap accommodates an electrical control element, in particular a potentiometer, which can be adjusted via an adjustment element arranged rotatably on the end cap. The toothbrush also comprises an electrical power consumption unit, in particular an electric motor, which is designed to set the bristles in vibration. The energy supply from an energy reservoir arranged in the interior to the electrical power consumption unit can be adjusted continuously by means of the control element, as a result of which the vibration intensity of the bristles can be steplessly adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Armin Baertschi, Franz Fischer, Christian Hilfiker
  • Publication number: 20110291595
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a vibration motor, in which there are provided: a unit that generates a drive signal for generating elliptic motion; a unit that switches the drive signal with a voltage from a power supply, and changes a pulse width of the drive signal; a unit that detects a current flowing in an electromechanical energy conversion element through the switching unit; a unit that detects a position and a velocity of an object to be driven; and a control unit that controls the respective units, and sets the velocity of the object to be driven. The control unit controls a frequency and the pulse width of the drive signal so as to exercise a maximum output characteristic with respect to a target velocity within a range in which the current detected by the current detection unit does not exceed a given limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akio Atsuta