Multi-motor controller
First Claim
1. A motor control module, comprising:
- a digital amplifier configured to drive a plurality of different motor types;
a motor control unit coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit configured to select a motor type driven by the digital amplifier via a command signal to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit monitoring status information about the motor control module including status information about the digital amplifier; and
a motor coil interface coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor coil interface configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types;
wherein the motor control unit is configured to forward motor control commands to the digital amplifier, the motor control commands having a format independent of motor type, the digital amplifier being further configured to control a motor of the selected motor type based on the motor control commands.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor control module provides control of a plurality of different motor types, such as a 1-phase DC Brush motor, a 3-phase brushless DC motor, and a 2-phase step motor. The module includes a digital amplifier that is configurable to drive the plurality of different motor types. A motor control unit, coupled to the digital amplifier, controls a motor type driven by the digital amplifier via a command signal to the digital amplifier. The motor control unit also monitors status information about the motor control module, including status information about the digital amplifier. A motor coil interface is coupled to the digital amplifier and configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types.
21 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A motor control module, comprising:
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a digital amplifier configured to drive a plurality of different motor types; a motor control unit coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit configured to select a motor type driven by the digital amplifier via a command signal to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit monitoring status information about the motor control module including status information about the digital amplifier; and a motor coil interface coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor coil interface configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types; wherein the motor control unit is configured to forward motor control commands to the digital amplifier, the motor control commands having a format independent of motor type, the digital amplifier being further configured to control a motor of the selected motor type based on the motor control commands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A motor control module, comprising:
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a digital amplifier configured to drive a plurality of different motor types; a motor control unit coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit configured to select a motor type driven by the digital amplifier via a command signal to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit monitoring status information about the motor control module including status information about the digital amplifier; and a motor coil interface coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor coil interface configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types; wherein the motor coil interface is configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types via at least one common port.
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17. A motor control module, comprising:
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a digital amplifier configured to drive a plurality of different motor types; a motor control unit coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit configured to select a motor type driven by the digital amplifier via a command signal to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit monitoring status information about the motor control module including status information about the digital amplifier; and a motor coil interface coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor coil interface configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types; wherein the digital amplifier includes a current loop, the current loop being reconfigurable as a function of the motor type. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of controlling a motor, comprising:
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selecting a motor type driven by a digital amplifier via a command signal to the digital amplifier, the digital amplifier configured to drive a plurality of different motor types; configuring the digital amplifier to drive a motor of the motor type in accordance with the command signal; monitoring, via a motor control unit, status information about a motor control module including status information about the digital amplifier; driving the motor via a motor coil interface coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor coil interface configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types; forwarding, via the motor control unit, motor control commands to the digital amplifier, the motor control commands having a format independent of motor type; and controlling a motor of the selected motor type based on the motor control commands. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A motor control system, comprising:
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a motor control data bus for carrying motor information; and plural motor control modules coupled to the motor control data bus, each motor control module including; a digital amplifier configured to drive a plurality of different motor types; a motor control unit coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit configured to select a motor type driven by the digital amplifier via a command signal to the digital amplifier, the motor control unit monitoring status information about the motor control module including status information about the digital amplifier; and a motor coil interface coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor coil interface configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types wherein the motor control unit is configured to forward motor control commands to the digital amplifier, the motor control commands having a format independent of motor type, the digital amplifier being further configured to control a motor of the selected motor type based on the motor control commands. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A motor control device, comprising:
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a digital amplifier configured to drive a plurality of different motor types, the digital amplifier further configured, in response to a command signal received from a motor control unit indicating a selected motor type, to enter a mode of operation corresponding to the selected motor type, the mode of operation being one of plural modes of operation each corresponding to a different motor type; and a motor coil interface coupled to the digital amplifier, the motor coil interface configured to connect with the plurality of different motor types, the digital amplifier reconfiguring outputs of the motor coil interface based on the mode of operation; wherein the digital amplifier is further configured to receive motor control commands from the motor control unit, the motor control commands having a format independent of motor type, the digital amplifier being further configured to control a motor of the selected motor type based on the motor control commands.
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Specification