Motor Control Voltage Calibration for a Child Motion Device

• US 20080146359A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Godiska, James E.
• Application Number:
  US11/932,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20080146359A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/119
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 1/10 capable of being suspended from, or attached to, tables or other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 13/105 pivotally mounted in a frame
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/016 capable of being suspended from, or attached to, other articles or structures, e.g. adult's bed
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/02 with rocking mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/057 driven by electric motors

Abstract

A method of controlling a child motion device having a motor includes the steps of applying first and second voltages to the motor associated with corresponding first and second voltage ranges above and below an initial baseline voltage, monitoring respective motion characteristics of the child motion device resulting from the first and second voltages, and iterating the applying and monitoring steps with narrowed first and second voltage ranges and an adjusted baseline voltage. The adjusted baseline voltage corresponds to a level within a selected one of the first and second ranges based on a comparison of the respective motion characteristics. The child motion device may then be calibrated to utilize the adjusted baseline voltage. In some cases, the adjusted baseline voltage determines a voltage applied to the motor during a motion start procedure or to maintain a desired swing speed.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a child motion device having a motor, comprising:

applying first and second voltages to the motor associated with corresponding first and second voltage ranges above and below an initial baseline voltage;

monitoring respective motion characteristics of the child motion device resulting from the first and second voltages;

iterating the applying and monitoring steps with narrowed first and second voltage ranges and an adjusted baseline voltage corresponding to a level within a selected one of the first and second ranges selected based on a comparison of the respective motion characteristics; and

calibrating the child motion device to utilize the adjusted baseline voltage.

2. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 1, further comprising analyzing the first and second voltages to determine when to perform the calibrating step.

3. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 2, wherein the analyzing step comprises comparing the first or second voltage ranges with a threshold size.

4. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of applying the baseline voltage and monitoring motion characteristics resulting from the baseline voltage.

5. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusted baseline voltage determines a voltage applied to the motor during a motion start procedure.

6. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusted baseline voltage determines a voltage applied to the motor to maintain a desired swing speed.

7. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 1, wherein the motion characteristics comprise motor position.

8. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring step comprises generating data indicative of the motor position via a capacitive sensor responsive to reciprocating movement of the child motion device.

9. A method of controlling a child motion device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second voltage ranges are defined by the difference between the first and second voltages and the initial baseline voltage.