Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle at a substantially low speed based on change in the vehicle position. The method comprises the following steps: (A) transforming a steering control algorithm into a substantially low speed (SLS) steering control algorithm, wherein the (SLS) steering control algorithm is configured to operate the vehicle in an asynchronous low speed mode; and (B) implementing the SLS steering control algorithm as a controller configured to operate the vehicle in the asynchronous low speed mode.

Abstract: There is provided a controller for an electric power steering apparatus having a motor which applies a steering assist force to a steering mechanism. The controller includes a torque command value calculating portion which calculates a torque command value based on steering torque generated in a steering shaft, and a vehicle speed and a current command value calculating portion which calculates a current command value for the motor based on the torque command value. The controller controls the motor based on the current command value. In the apparatus, the controller has a cogging torque compensation value calculating portion which calculates a cogging torque compensation value for the motor, and corrects the current command value based on the cogging torque compensation value.

Abstract: A method for determining the torque of an electric machine, in particular a permanently energized electric machine. The torque is determined by a particularly simple and accurate method by measuring a phase voltage and the rotational speed of the electric machine and calculating the torque based on these values.

Abstract: A protective device for a power-assisted steering system, such a power-assisted steering system, and a method for protecting a power-assisted steering system are described. Provided in the described power-assisted steering system is a circuit that closes a separation in the neutral point of an electric motor when the rotational speed of the electric motor exceeds a prespecified value.

Abstract: Process for reducing clutch-grabbing oscillations in a motor vehicle drive train having a drive motor, clutch and another drive train, in which process the moment transmitted by the clutch for the control of an actuator that operates an operating member of the clutch when oscillations occur is changed such that oscillations are diminished, where an electric voltage driving the actuator is modulated according to the formula: UM=UMSt*w+UMR*(1?w), whereby, w is a weighting factor which assumes a value between 0 and 1, UMst is a modulation voltage controlled in a defined manner by an actuator model and a required travel modulation and, UMR is a modulation voltage regulated by a control device, which voltage is a magnitude that characterizes an operating state of the clutch on the basis of deviation between a required value and the actual value.

Abstract: An electric tool switch mechanism includes a trigger switch for operating to at least rotate or stop a DC motor; and a power switch connected between the DC motor and a battery power source and closed when a pressed amount of the trigger switch exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The mechanism further includes a switching device connected between the DC motor and the battery power source via the power switch; a control circuit for controlling to turn the switching device on/off using a desired on-duty when the pressed amount of the trigger switch exceeds the threshold value; and a stopping unit that is controlled by the trigger switch for forcibly turning the switching device off before the power switch is changed from on to off when the trigger switch is released.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes an electric motor, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The electric motor produces an assist steering effort in a steering system. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of a first portion subject to thermal influence of operation of the electric motor. The control unit determines an estimated temperature of a second portion in accordance with a value of a motor current, the second portion being subject to thermal influence of operation of the electric motor. The control unit determines a first upper limit value in accordance with the measured temperature; determines a second upper limit value in accordance with the estimated temperature; limit the motor current to a smaller one of the first and second upper limit values, when determining that the temperature sensor is normal; limit the motor current to the second upper limit value, when determining that the temperature sensor is abnormal.

Abstract: A method of controlling drive of a driving motor for a rotary indexing device is provided. The device includes an indexing mechanism that indexes an angular position of a circular table by rotating the circular table with the use of the driving motor as a driving source, a clamping mechanism that holds the indexed angular position, and a control unit that controls drive of the driving motor by position control. In the method, the control unit controls the drive of the driving motor during operation of the clamping mechanism with a content of control in which an output torque of the driving motor by the position control becomes smaller than an output torque by the position control during indexing of the angular position of the circular table for an equivalent positional deviation.

Abstract: Driving forces of an engine and an electric motor can be transmitted to driving wheels, and the engine and the driving wheels can be mechanically connected and disconnected by a clutch. A vehicle ECU disengages the clutch and controls the motor to generate a required torque when an upper limit torque generable by the motor is equal to or above the required torque. On the other hand, the ECU engages the clutch and controls the engine and the motor in such a manner that a sum of the torques of the engine and the motor becomes the required torque when the upper limit torque is lower than the required torque. The ECU engages the clutch even if the upper limit torque is equal to or above the required torque when the revolution speed of the motor becomes equal to or above a predetermined revolution speed during traveling of the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a motor control apparatus for setting, changing, resetting a control gain or a notch filter frequency Nf without using a parameter inputting apparatus, considerably reducing a procedure required in adjustment of the gain which has been needed from introducing the motor control apparatus until normal operation thereof, and capable of being simply dealt with even by an unskilled person. There is constructed a simple constitution including 2 pieces of rotary switches (1, 2) which are inexpensive and provided with small mounting areas as an input setting apparatus and 5 of LED (5) as a display apparatus, selecting a gain by a contact of the rotary switch, automatically setting a machine resonance filter frequency by detecting a generated vibration frequency, and only changing the rotary switch for temporarily releasing and resetting the control gain or the notch filter frequency Nf.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting whether belt slip is occurring between an electric machine and a machine drivingly connected together by a drive belt using only measurements of rotor speed, voltage and current derived from the electric machine, thereby improving the sensitivity of slip detection and eliminating the need for a comparison of rotor speed with a measurement of the rotational speed of the machine.

Abstract: A motor controlling device for mounting on a vehicle, which includes a controller capable of controlling a DC brushless motor at high response and high accuracy. The motor controlling device for mounting on the vehicle to drive the DC brushless motor comprises a main control section (120) for calculating a torque command for the motor, and a current control calculation section (140) constituted by a module or a dedicated LSI independent of the main control section (120). The current control calculation section (140) converts the coordinates of a current of the DC brushless motor into a d-axis direction, i.e., a direction of magnetic flux of a motor rotor, and into a q-axis direction orthogonal to the d-axis direction, and feedback-controls a current in the d-axis direction and a current in the q-axis direction separately.

Abstract: A motor circuit protector that trips in accordance with an instantaneous trip curve that is split into three protection regions, a self-protection region, an in-rush avoidance region, and a locked-rotor avoidance region. Software modules for detecting whether primary current exceeds each region are run in parallel or simultaneously, providing redundant instantaneous trip detection, and these redundant protection regions remain active throughout the startup and steady-state modes of operation of the motor circuit protector. This redundancy provides improved time current trip performance for a wide variety of short circuit conditions and improved system safety properties are realized. The current threshold for the self-protection region can be adjusted toward the in-rush avoidance region once steady-state operation is achieved. In startup mode, only the self-protection region may be detected, but can remain active during steady-state mode.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for controlling a motor with reduced noise and vibration includes a detecting means for detecting a rotational speed of the motor, a command signal processing means that generates a command signal for allowing the motor to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed, a drive means that generates a drive signal based on the command signal and supplies the drive signal to the motor, and a control signal generation means that generates a control signal for allowing the motor to produce a control torque having a frequency equal to one of frequencies of noise and vibration due to the motor. The frequency of the control torque corresponds to at least one of orders of the rotational speed detected by the detecting means. The command signal processing means generates the command signal based on the control signal.

Abstract: A method for generating an active damping torque signal for a vehicle steering system includes receiving a vehicle speed input, receiving a handwheel velocity input, receiving a handwheel torque input, and generating an active damping torque output from each of the inputs, wherein the active damping torque output is non-linear with respect to the handwheel velocity input.

Abstract: A current sensor 8a detects a motor current of a steering motor 5 which supplies a steering mechanism 1 with steering force corresponding to the steering amount applied to a steering wheel 2. A main controller 4 extracts component within a predetermined frequency range out of a motor current detected by the current sensor 8a, amplifies the extracted component and drives a reaction force motor 3 in a controlled manner so as to supply the steering wheel 2 with steering reaction force corresponding to the steering amount applied to the steering wheel 2 and steering reaction force corresponding to a current of the component, which has been extracted and amplified. The vehicle steering apparatus constructed as above can supply steering means with steering reaction force corresponding to component within a predetermined frequency range of a motor current of the steering motor.

Abstract: With the use of three inverter circuits controlled by a single processor, the controller of the motor-driving apparatus provides a rotation drum-driving motor, a compressor-driving motor and a blow fan-driving motor with a simultaneous sinusoidal-wave control. The configuration above offers stable sinusoidal-wave drive, reducing vibration noise of the rotation drum, the compressor and the blow fan.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric power tool (1), having an electric motor (8) that serves to drive a tool (6). The electric power tool (1) is characterized in that a sensor unit (9) that detects the contact pressure of the tool (6) against a workpiece (7) cooperates with a signal transducer (10).

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive control device includes a first electric motor; a second electric motor; a differential device that includes first, second, and third rotational elements, wherein the first rotational element is connected to the first electric motor, the second rotational element is connected to the second electric motor via a transmission shaft, and the third rotational element is connected to an engine; a transmission that shifts a speed of a rotation transferred from the transmission shaft; and a controller that: calculates an inertia compensating torque that compensates for a change in a rotation speed caused by inertia while the transmission performs shifting; and corrects a target torque for the first electric motor in accordance with the inertia compensating torque.

Abstract: An electric drive control apparatus and method calculates a current command value based on an electric machine target torque that represents a target value of a torque of an electric machine; calculates a current deviation between the current command value and a current applied to the electric machine; calculates a first inductance and a second inductance that each have a different amount of change caused by a change in the current; calculates an interference term based on the first inductance; calculates a proportional term and an integral term based on the current deviation and the second inductance; and calculates a voltage command value based on the interference term, the proportional term and the integral term.

Abstract: An electrically commutated motor includes a first module to measure a current in a coil of the motor, and a second module to adjust timing of commutation of the motor based on the current measurement.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the operation of a partition movement system having a partition. In an embodiment, the method includes monitoring a parameter having a relation to movement of the partition, generating a first value based on the monitored parameter, and generating a difference value between the first value and a threshold value. The threshold value is indicative of a potential pinch condition. The method also includes determining a position value of the partition corresponding to a relative position of the partition when the difference value is generated, and using at least one of the difference value and the position value to determine a state of the partition movement system.

Abstract: A system for maintaining appropriate control of an actuator in the event of a power disruption without being adversely affected by the period of the power disruption. The actuator may close during the power disruption but will be fully opened upon the return of power to the system. After being opened, the actuator may be kept open with less power than needed for opening it.

Abstract: An input shaft speed signal for rotating a motor at a predetermined rotational speed is output from a rotation control unit to the motor. A rotational speed reduced by a speed reduction device with elastic bodies is detected by an output rotation sensor. A CPU obtains slippage by calculating a reduction ratio based on the detected output shaft speed signal and input shaft speed signal. Load torque is determined from the obtained slippage. A current value to be supplied to the motor is determined so that the motor produces torque corresponding to the load torque. The current value to be supplied from a motor driver to the motor is thus controlled.

Abstract: A motor control system for controlling a plurality of motors for moving an object in respectively different axial directions that includes a plurality of target devices, each target device including a (pulse width modulation) PWM signal generator that generates a PWM signal for driving a motor using a triangular signal, and a host device for supplying a synchronization signal to each of the target devices, wherein each target device is arranged with a corresponding motor, and each PWM signal generator resets the triangular signal in response to the synchronization signal.

Abstract: A circuit and method for detecting an operating transition of a mechanical apparatus driven by a hydraulic prime mover comprising a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, the operating transition causing a change in the force applied by the mechanical apparatus on the prime mover. A motor current sensing circuit is connected in a motor power supply circuit to provide a motor current signal representing motor current. A bandpass filter receives the motor current signal and provides a filtered motor current signal consisting essentially of motor current signal components in the frequency range from a lower frequency boundary greater than zero Hz to an upper frequency boundary below substantially all the motor noise frequencies. A comparison circuit compares the filtered motor current signal to a first selected threshold level and outputs a signal representing the occurrence of the operating transition when the filtered motor current signal exceeds the selected threshold level.

Abstract: A car control apparatus including a wheel sensor, wheel torque calculating means for calculating wheel torque from the wheel speed, drive force detecting means for detecting drive force generated by an electric motor, car body drive force calculating means for calculating car body drive force from the above drive force and wheel torque, car body drive force fluctuating component extracting means for extracting multiple frequency band fluctuating components of the car body drive force, and drive or braking force control unit for controlling the running state of a car.

Abstract: A control device determines whether a motor generator is controlled in a PWM control mode, an overmodulation control mode or a rectangular-wave control mode. If a command to perform a boosting operation by a voltage step-up converter is issued while the motor generator is controlled in the rectangular-wave control mode, the control device controls an inverter to drive the motor generator by switching the control mode to the overmodulation or PWM control mode. Further, the control device controls the inverter to drive the motor generator by suppressing increase of a torque command value.

Abstract: A motor controller system comprises solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A sensor senses AC line voltage. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit ramps switch current during a start mode and selectively holds switch current during the start mode if sensed voltage drops below a threshold amount.

Abstract: The present invention includes a control part for controlling switching elements on diagonal lines in the upper and lower stage of an H bridge circuit respectively by different duty ratios based on a steering torque exerted on a steering system, and an electric power supply source for supplying an electric power. When the voltage of the electric power supply source is lower than a prescribed voltage, the control part causes the switching element EET 1 or FET2 on the upper-stage side to be driven by a pulse width modulation signal PWM1 or PWM2, the switching element FET 4 or FET3 on the lower-stage side to be turned on, and the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal to be lowered to an audible frequency range.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a motor drive unit. The motor drive unit is coupled to a motor driving a load and is configured to selectively control the motor according to a torque control mode and a speed control mode. The motor drive unit includes a circuit configured to generate an operational condition signal indicating an operational condition of the motor and a regulator configured to receive the operational condition signal and generate a motor control signal. The motor drive unit also includes a first controller configured to receive the motor control signal and a reference control signal and select either the motor control signal or the reference control signal to use as a control signal to drive the motor according to either torque control or speed control.

Abstract: A controller reduces an output of the drive motor when a window glass reaches a speed shift position, which is between a fully open position and a fully closed position of the window glass, in a closing operation of the window glass. The controller increases the output of the drive motor based on a position signal, which indicates that the position of the closing member in the closing operation is in a preclosed position located on a fully closed position side of the speed shift position. The preclosed position is located in a pinch-monitoring disabled zone, in which the monitoring of the pinching of the object through the controller is disabled.

Abstract: A compressor terminal fault interruption method and interrupter for disconnecting power to a compressor terminal when terminal venting failure is imminent including a current sensing circuit for sensing current provided to the terminal by a power source and outputting a sensed signal representing the current provided to the terminal and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a first circuit for outputting a reference signal representing input current much higher than locked rotor current, a second circuit connected to the current sensing circuit and the first circuit for comparing the sensed signal to the reference signal, and a third circuit connected to the second circuit for disconnecting power to the terminal when the sensed signal exceeds the reference signal, thereby preventing excessive current from reaching the compressor terminal.

Abstract: A motor control system for detecting motor run condition comprises power switches for connection to an AC line for controlling application of AC power to the motor. An input receives a motor start command. A controller is connected to the input and controls operation of the switches responsive to a motor start command. The controller includes a counter and a timer and is operable to disable the power switches if number of starts during a select interval exceeds a first threshold and to disable the power switches if motor run time after a motor start command exceeds a second threshold.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat adjuster includes a DC motor and a control system operably connected to the motor to control seat motion to a desired motion profile. Power to the motor is variable from less than 100% of normal power to greater than 100% of normal power. The desired motion profile preferably includes a normal operating power and a boost operating power and the control system automatically increases motor power to the boost operating power after one of a predetermined period of time, a predetermined distance of travel, or a predetermined sensed condition. Parameters of the motion profile are preferably customizable.

Abstract: A method is provided for use with a movable barrier operator that has no user-initiable dedicated learning mode of operation. At least one parameter is monitored that corresponds to force as applied to a movable barrier to selectively cause the movable barrier to move between at least a first position and a second position. An excess force threshold value is automatically changed in response to the monitored at least one parameter to provide an updated excess force threshold value. Both the updated excess force threshold value and the monitored at least one parameter are used to determine when excess force is being applied to the movable barrier via the movable barrier operator. A predetermined action is taken when excess force is being applied to the movable barrier via the movable barrier operator.

Abstract: A propeller is driven by an electric motor through a mechanical drive train. The output torque of the motor to the drive train is controlled by a controller with respect to a normal torque reference signal and an emergency torque reference signal. When a measured deceleration of the motor exceeds a threshold deceleration value, the normal torque reference signal is modified or replaced by the emergency torque reference signal and the controller signals the motor to reduce or reverse the torque applied to the mechanical drive train by the motor. In this way, the integrity of the propeller and drive train can be protected if the propeller strikes an underwater obstruction.

Abstract: The invention discloses a power tool for screwing or drilling having a motor for driving a drive shaft, a controller for controlling the power tool, a motor switch for switching the motor on and off, switch for reversing the power tool between clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation, and vice versa, and a timer that permits reversal of the power tool between clockwise/counter-clockwise rotation, and vice versa, within a predefined period of time between actuation of the switch for clockwise/counter-clockwise rotation and for operation of the motor switch to start the power tool.

Abstract: A motor control device for controlling a permanent magnet motor includes a current detector detecting current flowing through three-phase windings, an induced voltage computing unit obtaining voltage induced at each phase from the detected three-phase winding current based on a phase voltage equation, a position detector detecting a rotational position of the rotor from the induced voltage of each phase computed by the induced current computing unit, the rotational position of the rotor having a 6n resolution where n is an integer equal to or larger than 1, an energization phase control unit determining a phase to be energized based on the rotational position of the rotor and a phase command, an energization signal forming unit forming a 6n-resolution three-phase energization signal, and an energizing unit carrying out PWM modulation for the three-phase energization signal, supplying voltage according to the modulated three-phase energization signal to each of the three-phase windings.

Abstract: A rotary sensor that outputs two analog signals, such as one sine wave and one cosine wave and has multiple periods within one period of the electrical angle of a motor is employed. The motor is energized at each position for a specified length of time upon its startup by using multiple electrical angles corresponding to the multiple candidate absolute angles obtained from the rotary sensor signal as the initial position of the motor, and the electrical angle at which the motor acceleration becomes maximum is determined as the absolute angle. While the motor drive is in operation, on the other hand, the phase difference ?? between the phase of the motor at the counter electromotive voltage and the control phase is directly computed from the parameters of the motor, sensed current, voltage command and angle speed so as to correct the shifted position.

Abstract: The invention proposes an electrically operated power steering controller for inputting a driving electric current offset value of higher accuracy and being able to make an offset correction of a driving electric current by using this driving electric current offset value of higher accuracy, and an adjusting method of this driving electric current offset. Therefore, an electric motor driving electric current measuring device of accuracy higher than that of an electric motor driving electric current detector assembled into a controller CNT is prepared separately from this electric motor driving electric current detector. The driving electric current offset value of high accuracy is outputted by this electric motor driving electric current measuring device. An input device for receiving the driving electric current offset value of high accuracy from the driving electric current measuring device is arranged in an offset correcting device or an offset signal generator within the controller.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the electrical current used by an electrical device and controlled according to the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) method, such as a DC motor, the system using a Field Effect Transistor (FET) coupled to the electrical device such that the voltage applied to the FET is measured to ascertain in part, the current usage of the electrical device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling drive speed of a motor operating in overload conditions. The method includes the steps of: driving the motor at a predetermined reference speed; detecting phase voltage and phase current applied to the motor; determining whether or not the motor is operating in overload conditions based on the detected phase voltage and phase current; and controlling the motor according to whether or not the motor is operating in overload conditions. Accordingly, the present invention can prevent occurrence of over-current due to the instantaneous acceleration of the motor to a predetermined initial speed.

Abstract: A power transmission device equipped with a torque biasing system and control system for controlling the torque biasing system is operable to determine a torque command and calculate a torque error based on the torque command and a model-based torque. A control signal is generated based on the torque error and the torque biasing system is operated based on the control signal.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling motor temperature is based on computed motor power dissipation and a thermal model of the motor, rather than a measured motor temperature, in a control loop that limits the motor drive to prevent overheating. An ambient temperature sensor senses the ambient temperature near the motor, and a determination is made of the motor power dissipation. The motor winding temperature is estimated based on the sensed ambient temperature and the determined motor power dissipation. A maximum motor power dissipation that would raise the motor temperature to a predetermined maximum temperature value is determined based on the estimated temperature. The motor power dissipation is limited to a value that is below the determined maximum power dissipation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator current control method. The method of the present invention comprising the steps of measuring a feedback current passing through an actuator, determining PWM duty according to an error component between a target current produced based on an input signal and the feedback current to generate a PWM signal, controlling a current supplied to the actuator based on the PWM signal, and monitoring the feedback current at a time difference of a half period in every period of the PWM signal to estimate an average current and then determining based on the estimated average current whether or not the control of the supplied current has failed. According to the present invention, an algorithm for monitoring a feedback current at a time difference of a half period in every period of the PWM signal to estimate an average current when measuring the average current of the actuator feedback current can be employed.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electrically actuable parking brake is described. In this method the cutoff current of the electric motor is varied to compensate for example for changes in the application force associated with aging or wear or for changes in the application force due to changes in the resistance and/or temperature of an electric motor.

Abstract: A motor driving control device includes a motor, a switch unit that controls driving of the motor, a current detection resistor that outputs a detection voltage indicating a current of the motor, a comparator that compares the detection voltage with a target current value, an on signal generating unit that generates an on signal, a polarity of which is changed for each interval of predetermined time, and a control unit that has the comparator, a holding circuit receiving the on signal to change a circuit state. When a change in polarity of the on signal is detected, the holding circuit holds the circuit state such that the switch unit is turned on and a current is supplied to the motor. When the comparator detects that the current of the motor is increased to the target current value, the holding circuit holds the circuit state such that the switch unit is turned off.

Abstract: An electric jack load balancing method and device for reducing the difference in load carried by each jack of a pair of electric jacks while adjusting the attitude of a platform. The device includes a controller configured to reduce the difference in load carried by each jack of a pair of electric jacks. The method includes monitoring the power draws of the jack motors of the pair of electric jacks, comparing the ratio of the power draws of the jack motors to a predetermined desirable power draw ratio, and when the jack motor power draw ratio differs from the desirable power draw ratio, modifying the operation of the jacks in such a way as to decrease the difference between their actual power draw ratio and the predetermined desirable power draw ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting an overload condition. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring a load of a DC motor includes intermittently de-energizing the motor; monitoring a first voltage; and measuring a first interval of time between a starting time and an ending time, wherein the starting time comprises the time at which the motor is de-energized and the ending time comprises a time at which the first voltage and a reference voltage have substantially similar values.