Pulse count motor control device

• US 20040027087A1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hogan, Michael Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 6,936,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/569
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 5/68 controlling two or more dc dynamo-electric motors H02P5/46, H02P5/60 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

A pulse count motor control device that connects to a central control unit through a first interface and to at least one motor through a second interface. A microprocessor integrated into the motor control device then allows it to directly monitor and drive the motor or motors in accordance with pulse count technology methods.

Claims

1. A motor control system, comprising:

a central control unit including a first microprocessor;

at least one motor controlled by a pulse count technique; and

a control module connected to said central control unit and to said at least one motor, said control module including a second microprocessor for controlling said at least one motor based upon instructions received from said central control unit.

2. The motor control system according to claim 1, wherein said motor control system is used within a vehicle.

3. The motor control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one motor is part of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of said vehicle.

4. The motor control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle window.

5. The motor control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle sunroof.

6. The motor control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a position of a seat.

7. The motor control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle mirror.

8. The motor control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a power-assisted driver control.

9. The motor control system according to claim 8, wherein said power-assisted driver control comprises an adjustable foot pedal.

10. The motor control system according to claim 8, wherein said power-assisted driver control comprises an adjustable steering column.

11. The motor control system according to claim 1, wherein said control module is connected to said central control unit through a data communication network.

12. The motor control system according to claim 11, wherein said data communication network is a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus.

13. The motor control system according to claim 1, wherein said control module further includes diagnostic and calibration functions for monitoring and calibrating said at least one motor.

14. A pulse count motor control device, comprising:

means for communicating with a central control unit; and

means for communicating with at least one motor;

wherein said central control unit issues general operating instructions for controlling a system that includes said at least one motor, and based on these general operating instructions, said motor control device determines an appropriate state for said at least one motor and implements direct control over said at least one motor so as to achieve said state.

15. The motor control device according to claim 14, wherein said motor control device is used within a vehicle.

16. The motor control device according to claim 15, wherein said at least one motor is part of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of said vehicle.

17. The motor control device according to claim 15, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle window.

18. The motor control device according to claim 15, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle sunroof.

19. The motor control device according to claim 15, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a position of a seat.

20. The motor control device according to claim 15, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle mirror.

21. The motor control system according to claim 15, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a power-assisted driver control.

22. The motor control system according to claim 21, wherein said power-assisted driver control comprises an adjustable foot pedal.

23. The motor control system according to claim 21, wherein said power-assisted driver control comprises an adjustable steering column.

24. The motor control device according to claim 14, wherein said means for communicating with said central control unit includes a data communication network.

25. The motor control device according to claim 14, further comprising means for diagnosing and calibrating said at least one motor in communication with said motor control device.

26. A method of operating a motor by pulse count control, comprising:

determining a desired condition of a system as required by a central control unit;

detecting a current state of a motor by a control module independent of said central control unit;

determining an end state of said motor by said control module, said end state being necessary to place said system in said desired condition; and

driving said motor by said control module until said end state is achieved.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said method is used within a vehicle.

28. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

communicating said desired condition of a system, from said central control unit to said control module, over a data communications network.