Abstract: Vehicles equipped with sliding doors that undergo powered openings typically are prohibited from opening if the vehicle is in drive. Various modes of door operation are disclosed that safely enable powered operation of a vehicle sliding door regardless of the transmission state of the vehicle.

Abstract: An architectural window covering having a programmable electric motor is disclosed. The architectural window covering includes a head rail comprising at least one cavity, a shade coupled to the head rail, a bottom rail coupled to the shade, and at least two tandem stacked motors coupled to the shade via a drive rail such that the at least two motors fit within the at least one cavity of the head rail.

Abstract: An exemplary motor control circuit for controlling a motor includes a motor driving chip, a sensing unit, and a controller. The motor driving chip motor driving chip is electronically connected to the motor. The sensing unit includes a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor detects whether an external object is proximate to the proximity sensor. The controller is electronically connected to the motor driving chip and the sensing unit, the controller controls the motor driving chip to drive the motor to rotate in a first direction when an external object is detected, and controls the motor driving chip to drive the motor to rotate in a second direction reverse to the first direction when no external object is detected for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A motor control device, which includes a main control portion configured to actuate a motor, which displaces a driven object between a first position and a second position in an acceleration control mode in which a rotation speed of the motor gradually increases, in a deceleration control mode in which the rotation speed of the motor gradually decreases, and in a constant speed control mode in which the rotation speed of the motor is maintained at a constant level, and a displacement interference detection portion detecting that the displacement of the driven object is interfered using an actual rotation speed, which is the actual rotation speed of the motor, and an ideal rotation speed of the motor, on which a control result by the main control portion including a feedback control is reflected.

Abstract: In a torque motor driving device for wire cut electrical discharge machines, a voltage waveform rectified by a full-wave rectifying circuit, not using a high-capacitance electrolytic capacitor, is applied as an AC voltage to a single-phase torque motor by a bridge circuit including semiconductor switches. A PWM signal whose duty is adjusted so that the current flowing through the torque motor matches an instructed value is generated and the generated PWM signal is used for the operation of the bridge circuit.

Abstract: Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis.

Abstract: A method controls a motor, especially for opening and closing a door. The motor is controlled by a pulse width-modulated switching signal that is divided into a specifiable number of pulse width-modulated control signals for actuating a bridge circuit to a corresponding number of functional channels. The functional channels are switched off independently from each other by at least one or more switch-off signals on at least one switching circuit of a number of independent switching circuits corresponding to the number of functional channels.

Abstract: A rotation control circuit comprises a motor-driving unit and a rotation-switching unit. The motor-driving unit is coupled to a motor of a fan. The rotation-switching unit is coupled to the motor-driving unit and has at least a charging-discharging circuit for generating a rotation control command, the rotation control command controls the motor to rotate in a forward direction for a time period when the motor starts to operate, and controls the motor to rotate in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an entrance barrier comprising a barrier element movable between an open and a closed position, driving means, by which the barrier element can driven from one position to the other position respectively, a control unit, by which the driving means are controllable, and a sensor unit connected to the control unit. The invention also relates to a barrier element for the entrance barrier and to method for operating the entrance barrier. To provide a possibility of further improving the safety of persons in the area of entrance barriers beyond the mere passive safety of the entrance barrier, the invention proposes for the sensor unit to include a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A wiper is pivotably supported and is swung by a drive force of an electric motor. When a command, which commands execution of one of high and low speed modes, is entered through a wiper switch in the middle of operation of the wiper in another one of the high and low speed modes, a control unit controls an electric motor such that a moving speed of the wiper, which is preset for the another one of the high and low speed modes, is changed to the moving speed of the wiper, which is preset for the one of the high and low speed modes, during a time period of executing a predetermined number of swings of the wiper between an upper return position and a lower return position upon entering of the command through the wiper switch means.

Abstract: A wiper is continuously reciprocally swung between an upper return position and a lower return position by controlling an electric motor when an operational command for executing a continuous operational mode is entered by a user through a wiper switch. The wiper is reciprocally swung after stopping of the wiper for a predetermined time period at a predetermined position, which is located on an outer side of the lower return position that is opposite from the upper return position in a swing direction of the wiper and at which an influence of a wind pressure applied to the wiper is smaller in comparison to the lower return position, by controlling the electric motor when an operational command for executing an intermittent operational mode is entered through the entering means.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an inertia of a synchronous condenser are described. An example system may include a motor, bidirectional power source, and at least one control device. The motor may be configured to alter a rotation of a condenser shaft to obtain a desired inertia of a synchronous condenser during a power disturbance event. The bidirectional power source may be coupled to the motor. The at least one control device may be configured to identify the power disturbance event, determine an amount of power to supply to or receive from the motor to obtain the desired inertia, and control the supply of power from the power source to the motor or from the motor to the power source based upon the determined amount of power.

Abstract: Presented is a system for controlling a roller shade. The system includes a flexible shade material having a lower end, a roller tube windingly receiving the flexible shade material, and a reversible motor for rotating the roller tube to move the lower end of the shade material between a first and second position. The system further includes an optical sensor for capturing an image frame of the shade material at a plurality of linear positions as the lower end of the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The system further includes a motor controller for controlling the reversible motor to move the lower end of the shade material from the first position to the second position using a variable linear velocity profile in response to position information obtained from the plurality of captured image frames.

Abstract: A building automation system is provided and includes a wall box of a building, a control device configured to be mounted on the wall box, the control device including a micro controller and a memory, the memory having executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the micro controller to control an environmental condition within the building, and a configuration memory unit, mounted on the wall box and external from the control device, the configuration memory unit including information stored thereon for configuring the control device, wherein, when executed, the executable instructions further cause the micro controller to access the information when the control device is mounted within the wall box and to configure the control device in accordance with the information.

Abstract: Presented is a method for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a flexible shade material. The method includes providing a motor that rotates the roller tube to move the flexible shade material between a first position and a second position. The method further includes capturing, with an optical sensor, an image frame at a plurality of linear positions along the flexible shade material as the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The method further includes controlling the reversible motor to move the flexible shade material from the first position to the second position in response to position information obtained from the captured image frames using a variable linear velocity profile so that the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position at a variable linear velocity.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A method for determining proper rotation direction of a reversible motor comprises the steps of: operating the motor to rotate a fan in a first direction, monitoring an operating parameter of the motor while the fan is rotated in the first direction, determining if the monitored operating parameter is within an acceptable range, determining that the first direction of rotation is not the proper rotation direction where the monitored operating parameter is not within the acceptable range, and operating the motor to rotate the fan in a second direction if the monitored operating parameter is not within the acceptable range.

Abstract: A motor control device is electrically connected with a motor. The motor control device includes a controller and a driving circuit. The controller has a default value of time and generates a first driving signal and a second driving signal. The driving circuit includes a first switching element and a second switching element, the first switching element and the second switching element receive the first driving signal and the second driving signal respectively, and the first switching element and the second switching element are switched on or switched off alternately according to the first driving signal and the second driving signal respectively, so as to drive the motor to operate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for transferring signal data from a sender to one or more receivers. The invention includes receiving a quantity as a function of time, arranging the quantity into a first polynomial to obtain values for polynomial coefficients of a first continuous signal, and transferring the values of the polynomial coefficients of the first continuous signal via a first data transfer link to one or more receivers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bi-direction driver IC and a method for bi-directionally driving an object. The method comprises: providing a first and a second integrated circuit (IC) chips, coupled with an object to be driven, wherein each of the first and second IC chips is capable of single-directionally driving the object; providing a reverse current path in each of the first and second IC chips; driving the object in a first direction by the first IC chip, wherein current flows through the reverse current path in the second IC chip; and driving the object in a second direction by the second IC chip, wherein current flows through the reverse current path in the first IC chip.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator and a refrigerator employing this system is provided. This system and method allows the drawer to substantially immediately and automatically stop when the drawer encounters an obstacle. This type of automatic control of the drawer may enhance the safe operation of the drawer, prevent injuries to users, and prevent overload and subsequent malfunction of a drive motor used to move the drawer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method for sensing both hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes an optical sensing as the primary means and electronic sensing of motor current as a secondary means. The secondary means utilizes system empirical precharacterization, fast processing algorithms, motor parameter monitoring including both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current commutation pulse sensing, and controller memory, to adaptively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real time without the use of templates and cycle averaging techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protection against jamming in a motor-driven locking system and a device for the execution of the method.

Abstract: An architectural window covering having a programmable electric motor is disclosed. The architectural window covering includes a head rail comprising at least one cavity, a shade coupled to the head rail, a bottom rail coupled to the shade, and at least two tandem stacked motors coupled to the shade via a drive rail such that the at least two motors fit within the at least one cavity of the head rail.

Abstract: A control system for a platform screen door system. The platform screen door system includes a door configured to be opened and closed. The control system includes a door drive means and a microprocessor door drive control means configured to control an opening and closing of the door according to a predetermined profile. Also included is at least one probe configured to monitor one or both of the door drive means and a motion of the door. Further included is a controller configured to control the door drive means such that when the controller is in use the controller brakes the door drive means when a signal from the probe is outside a predetermined door operating envelope.

Abstract: The present invention features a battery system for saving power. In some embodiments, the battery system comprises a main control unit for processing commands. The main control unit may comprise a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving wireless commands, and a timer for waking a microcontroller from a low power state to check a status of the received signal. In some embodiments, the microcontroller configured to receive a signal from the wireless transceiver; and to generate a signal to the wireless transceiver. In some embodiments, the battery system further comprises a remote module for sending commands to the main control unit. The remote module may comprises a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving wireless commands, and a microcontroller for processing user inputs and sending the commands. In some embodiments, the microcontroller is configured to receive a signal from the wireless transceiver; and to generate a signal to the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A method of operating an electromechanical actuator (6) for an awning with arms (1), comprising a control unit (8), stop detection means (9) and means (7) for measuring a parameter (Ucapa) of the actuator, the awning being able to move over its travel in at least a first (ZP1) and a second (ZP2, ZP3) positioning zone, the method comprising the following steps: upon detecting an initiating event, automatic determination, from the measurement of the parameter of the actuator, of the positioning zone in which the current position of the awning is located; and if the current position of the awning is located in the second positioning zone, temporary deactivation of the stop detection means for detecting a stop in the course of a movement of the awning towards a stop position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that the output end of the bidirectional unequal speed electric motor being particularly used to provide bidirectional rotating input is transmitted to the input end of bidirectional same or different speed change ratio constant directional output transmission device to further provide constant directional rotating output for driving the rotating load, wherein the user can operatively control the driving input direction thereby allowing the bidirectional same or different speed change ratio output transmission device having different speed change ratio to provide constant directional different speed change ratio rotating output in different driving input direction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that the output end of the electric motor capable of being operated in bidirectional rotation is transmitted to the input end of different rotating speed ratio and direction output transmission device, and it is through the output end of the different rotating speed ratio and direction output transmission device to further provide different directional rotating output for driving the rotating load, wherein the user can operatively control the driving input direction to provide different rotating directional different speed change ratio output in different driving input direction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that the output end of the bidirectional unequal speed electric motor being particularly used to provide bidirectional rotating input is transmitted to the input end of bidirectional same or different speed change ratio output transmission device, and is through the output end of the bidirectional same or different speed change ratio output transmission device to further provide bidirectional rotating output for driving the rotating load, wherein the user is through operatively controlling the rotating speed and operating direction of the bidirectional unequal speed electric motor to change the driving input direction thereby allowing the bidirectional same or different speed change ratio output transmission device having different speed change ratio to provide same or different speed change ratio bidirectional rotating output in different driving input direction and different rotating speed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a disk drive power system is described. The system is operable such that during power interruption, the system taps electric power by rectifying the back-EMF generated across each winding of a DC motor and supplying power to a voice-coil motor to park a read/write head safely away from an associated magnetic disk surface.

Abstract: A motor control device operable to rotate a motor based on an actuated direction of an operation knob of an operation switch in a direction corresponding to the actuated direction has direction selector switches provided corresponding to respective actuated directions of the operation knob, and open/close elements provided between the direction selector switches and a power supply. Each of the open/close elements is turned on when a control current is supplied thereto. When the operation knob is actuated, the direction selector switch corresponding to the actuated direction is turned on, a control current is supplied from the power supply to the open/close element connected to the relevant switch, and the predetermined open/close element is turned on. A drive current that flows from the power supply into the motor through a current carrying path of the open/close element is controlled according to a ON/OFF status of each of the open/close elements.

Abstract: A motor control circuit includes a manipulation unit, a control unit that drives a motor in a normal rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction, a catch detecting unit that detects a foreign substance caught in the opening and closing body, a first relay circuit that connects one of terminals of the motor to a power supply when the motor is driven in the normal rotation direction, a second relay circuit that connects the other terminal of the motor to the power supply when the motor is driven in the reverse rotation direction, a switch element that cuts off connection to the power supply when the normal rotation command is fed into the control unit from the manipulation unit, a detection circuit, and a feed circuit.

Abstract: An electric switch, in particular for an electric tool with an electric motor. The switch has first electrical terminals for electrical connection to a voltage supply and second electrical terminals for electrical connection to the electric motor. The switch has an actuating mechanism which can be adjusted between an initial position and a final position, wherein the electric motor is switched off when the actuating mechanism is located in the initial position and is switched on when the actuating mechanism is not located in the initial position. The switch also has a braking circuit for braking the electric motor, the braking circuit operating when the actuating mechanism is reset to the initial position. The switch also has a reversal circuit for switching over the direction of rotation of the electric motor. The braking circuit is arranged between the second electrical terminals and the reversal circuit.

Abstract: Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis.

Abstract: Method for protection of a switching device controlled by a control unit, through which an electric drive can be disengaged during the period of an overvoltage surge caused by a load dump in the electrical system of a vehicle, in which the drive current rises to a maximum value in a first slot within the duration of the overvoltage surge and drops in the second slot connected to the first time slot, with the following process steps: recognition of a load dump by recording a limit voltage value in the electrical system by the control unit, disengagement of the electric drive in the event of a load dump at a switching time stipulated by the control unit, which lies after the first time slot.

Abstract: In a closure panel control apparatus, an ECU controls a rotational speed of an electric motor, which provides a drive force to drive a closure panel in an opening movement and a closing movement thereof. The ECU obtains a vehicle speed measured with a vehicle speed sensor and receives a command signal from a switch, which is operable by an occupant of a vehicle to command the opening movement or the closing movement of the closure panel. The ECU controls the rotational speed of the electric motor based on the measured vehicle speed that is obtained at the time of receiving the command signal from the switch.

Abstract: In a method for limiting the excess force of a closing part of an adjusting device, the closing part is actuated by external force. An anti-jamming system determines, during an adjusting operation, current adjusting force values at least within a partial area of the adjusting path and respectively, in predetermined positions of the closing part, and compares the values to adjusting force comparative values which are already stored in a storage device. At least one of the stored adjusting force comparative values are adapted to mechanical technical conditions of the adjusting device and the extent of the adaptation is predetermined according to the service life.

Abstract: An automated gas cap mechanism for opening and closing the fuel tank of a vehicle includes a housing with a filler compartment door mounted on a door support link that is coupled to an axle having first and second ends mounted in slots formed in the housing and configured to rotate and to move longitudinally in the housing. A crank is mounted on the axle and an arm on the crank is pivotally coupled to the door support link. A drive motor is operable to rotate the axle and crank to retract the filler compartment door into the housing and drive the axle in a linear direction to open a gas cap coupled to the axle.

Abstract: A fire or smoke barrier 1 has a curtain 2 deployed from a motorized roller 3 mounted in a head box 4. Remote from the head box and connected to the motor via a cable 5 is a motor controller circuit 6. A short circuit protection circuit 9 is connected to the motor within the roller at the motor end of the cable 5. On the motor side of the circuit 9 is a retarder circuit 10 connected across the motor terminals. The short circuit circuit comprises a pair of relays 11, 12, arranged with their normally open contacts 111,121 arranged in parallel. A drive voltage one 11 of the relays has its winding 112 across the input lines 14 of the circuit and the emf one 12 of the relays has its winding 122 across the output lines 15 of the circuit. The input lines 14 are connected to the cable lines 51,52 and the output lines 15 are connected to the motor terminals 16, via the retarder 10.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an automated waste receptacle includes a waste flap, a motor positioned on a side of the waste flap and an actuator located in proximity of the top side of the waste flap. The actuator is configured to operate the motor and subsequently move the flap between open and closed positions.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a vehicle window apparatus. The vehicle window apparatus comprises a position feature, a detector, a feature switch, and a motor. The position feature corresponds to a position of a vehicle window. The detector is coupled to use the position feature and is coupled to provide at least one signal corresponding to a movement of the vehicle window to a predetermined position. The feature switch is coupled to the detector. The motor is coupled to provide the movement of the vehicle window according to the signals provided by the detector. The movement results from the switching of the feature switch. The predetermined position is a position between a fully closed position and a fully open position.

Abstract: A motor driving circuit includes a detecting unit, a signal control unit, a comparing unit and a driving unit. The detecting unit detects a rotation speed of a motor and thus outputs a detecting signal. The signal control unit generates a reference signal. The comparing unit electrically connected with the detecting unit and the signal control unit, and receives the detecting signal and the reference signal and thus outputs a comparing signal. The driving unit electrically connected with the comparing unit, and receives the comparing signal and thus outputs a driving signal to drive the motor.

Abstract: The motor driving device includes a first function of supplying power to a motor so that the motor generates a driving force to drive a driven member, a second function of detecting a current flowing through the motor, a third function of performing a power supply control in order that a value of the current detected by the second function is maintained within a target range, a fourth function of performing a power supply operation in which the motor is supplied with power for a predetermined time period which is short enough to avoid the driven member from being driven by the motor, before the third function performs the power supply control, and a fifth function of making a judgment on a state of each of the first to third functions on the basis of the value of the current detected by the second function during the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A discrete add-on control system for a barrier operating system is provided. The control system includes a mobile transmitter, a barrier state transmitter a controller and an indicator. The mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generates a mobile signal. The barrier state transmitter generates a barrier state signal. The controller is connected to the barrier operating system, receives the mobile signal and the barrier state signal, and commands the barrier operating system to move a barrier based upon the mobile signal and the barrier state signal. The indicator indicates a condition of the barrier.

Abstract: A motor driving circuit includes a control device, a detection module and a driving module. The control device is controlled by a control signal and is coupled to a motor. The control device includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal, wherein a driving current flowing through the motor flows through the first terminal and the second terminal. The detection module is used for detecting a voltage of the first terminal. The driving module is used for generating the control signal to control the driving current, wherein the detection module adjusts the driving capability of the driving module, thereby adjusting a slew rate of the control signal.

Abstract: A motor drive unit includes a controller configured to drive a motor to a target position by using a first driving mode in which a state of energization of coils of the motor is switched in accordance with outputs from rotor position detectors and a second driving mode in which a state of energization of the coils is switched on the basis of a predetermined time interval. The controller turns on the energization of the coils during a predetermined time under an energization condition at a completion of driving to the target position when the rotor position detectors detect that the rotor position shifts from the target position after turning off the energization of the coils according to the completion of driving to the target position.

Abstract: A method for applying power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes connecting an AC voltage source to an input of a rectification circuit, connecting a DC voltage source to an output of the rectification circuit, and electrically connecting the DC voltage source and rectification circuit output to operational components of the ECM. The DC voltage source is capable of providing a voltage equal to or greater than a rectified voltage originating from the AC voltage source, and the DC voltage source is connected in parallel with the output of the rectification circuit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bi-direction driver IC and a method for bi-directionally driving an object. The method comprises: providing a first and a second integrated circuit (IC) chips, coupled with an object to be driven, wherein each of the first and second IC chips is capable of single-directionally driving the object; providing a reverse current path in each of the first and second IC chips; driving the object in a first direction by the first IC chip, wherein current flows through the reverse current path in the second IC chip; and driving the object in a second direction by the second IC chip, wherein current flows through the reverse current path in the first IC chip.

Abstract: A device is proposed for moving a first furniture part relative to a second furniture part, using a drive unit, by means of which the first furniture part, can be moved in a driven manner relative to the second furniture part via a monitoring unit for monitoring the movement of the first furniture part. According to the invention, the monitoring unit is designed to render the automatic closing inoperative for positioning the first furniture part, in an open position, from which the first furniture part, returns automatically to a closed position after a predetermined closing time interval.