MOTOR CONTROL DEVICES AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method of managing power generation of an electric motor that is in electrical communication with a controller, the method comprising:
- monitoring a rotational speed of a drive shaft of the electric motor;
comparing the rotational speed to an upper rotational speed threshold; and
limiting a voltage on a circuit path between the electric motor and the controller,the voltage being generated by the electric motor, when the rotational speed is greater than the upper rotational speed threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for preventing damage to a controller of an electric motor in a vehicle from back electromotive force, the vehicle having a battery, includes monitoring, in a circuit path, a voltage and a rotational speed generated by back-driving the motor. If power is supplied to the controller by the battery, the method includes comparing the voltage to an upper voltage threshold, comparing the rotational speed to an upper rotational speed threshold, and, if the voltage exceeds the upper voltage threshold or the rotational speed exceeds the upper rotational speed threshold, clamping the circuit path to the battery to charge the battery with the voltage. The method is performed by an electronic controller that may detect the voltage and rotational speed via controller ports, sensor transmissions, and the like.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of managing power generation of an electric motor that is in electrical communication with a controller, the method comprising:
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monitoring a rotational speed of a drive shaft of the electric motor; comparing the rotational speed to an upper rotational speed threshold; and limiting a voltage on a circuit path between the electric motor and the controller, the voltage being generated by the electric motor, when the rotational speed is greater than the upper rotational speed threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for preventing damage to a controller of an electric motor in a vehicle from back electromotive force, the vehicle having a battery and the method comprising:
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monitoring, in a circuit path, a voltage and a rotational speed generated by back-driving the motor; detecting whether power is supplied to the controller by the battery; if the controller is not powered by the battery, breaking the circuit path between the controller and the motor; if the controller is powered by the battery; comparing the voltage to an upper voltage threshold; comparing the rotational speed to an upper rotational speed threshold; and if the voltage exceeds the upper voltage threshold or the rotational speed exceeds the upper rotational speed threshold, clamping the circuit path to the battery to charge the battery with the voltage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for controlling an electric motor in a vehicle, the vehicle having a circuit path between a battery of the vehicle and the electric motor, the system comprising:
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at least one controller in electrical communication with the circuit path; a harness relay disposed in electrical communication with the circuit path and configured to break or complete the circuit path between the electric motor and the controller; and a main relay disposed in electrical communication with the circuit path and configured to break or complete the circuit path between the electric motor and the battery; the controller being configured to; close the harness relay to complete the circuit path between the electric motor and the controller when the electric motor is being back-driven; detect when a voltage generated by back-driving the motor exceeds an upper voltage threshold; detect when a rotational speed generated by back-driving the motor exceeds an upper rotational speed threshold; upon detection of the voltage exceeding the upper voltage threshold or the rotational speed exceeding the rotational speed threshold, cause the main relay to close, completing the circuit path from the electric motor to the battery to charge the battery with the voltage; detect whether the controller is powered by the battery; and if the controller is not powered by the battery, maintain the harness relay in an open position to break the circuit path between the electric motor and the controller. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification