Radio controlled speed controller with audible feedback signal
First Claim
1. A method of producing an audible signal for speed controller feedback purposes, the method comprising:
- providing a speed controller having a receiver line, first and second battery lines, a motor line, means in the form of a drive circuit connected between the first battery line and the motor line for switching between an ON state in which the drive circuit couples the first battery line to the motor line and an OFF state in which the drive circuit decouples the first battery line from the motor line, and means in the form of a microprocessor circuitry connected to the receiver line and the drive circuit for switching the drive circuit under program control between the ON state and the OFF state according to setpoint information received by the microprocessor circuitry from a receiver connected to the receiver line; and
cycling the drive circuit under program control between the ON state and the OFF state at an audible rate for a controlled period of time at a duty ratio sufficiently small to avoid significant normal motor operation so that current flowing through the drive circuit causes audibly discernible mechanical vibration of at least one of the drive circuit, battery componentry connected to the first and second battery lines, and motor componentry connected to the motor line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A speed controller with an audible feedback signal capability includes a receiver line, first and second battery lines, and a motor line. A drive circuit is provided for switching between an ON state coupling the first battery line to the motor line and an OFF state decoupling the first battery line from the motor line. Microprocessor circuitry for switches the drive circuit between the ON state and the OFF state according to setpoint information received by the control circuit from a receiver connected to the receiver line. The microprocessor circuitry is programmed to produce an audible feedback signal without a conventional acoustical transducer by cycling the drive circuit between the ON state and the OFF state at an audible rate for a controlled period of time at a duty ratio sufficiently small to avoid normal motor operation so that current flowing from the battery during the ON state causes audibly discernible mechanical vibration of at least one of the drive circuit, battery componentry connected to the first and second battery lines, and motor componentry connected to the motor line. The microprocessor circuitry may also turn a brake circuit on in order to insure a path for current to flow apart from the motor. In line with the above, a method of producing an audible signal for speed controller feedback purposes includes the step of providing a speed controller having a drive circuit as just described. The method proceeds by cycling the drive circuit between the ON state and the OFF state at an audible rate for a controlled period of time at a sufficiently small duty ratio.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of producing an audible signal for speed controller feedback purposes, the method comprising:
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providing a speed controller having a receiver line, first and second battery lines, a motor line, means in the form of a drive circuit connected between the first battery line and the motor line for switching between an ON state in which the drive circuit couples the first battery line to the motor line and an OFF state in which the drive circuit decouples the first battery line from the motor line, and means in the form of a microprocessor circuitry connected to the receiver line and the drive circuit for switching the drive circuit under program control between the ON state and the OFF state according to setpoint information received by the microprocessor circuitry from a receiver connected to the receiver line; and cycling the drive circuit under program control between the ON state and the OFF state at an audible rate for a controlled period of time at a duty ratio sufficiently small to avoid significant normal motor operation so that current flowing through the drive circuit causes audibly discernible mechanical vibration of at least one of the drive circuit, battery componentry connected to the first and second battery lines, and motor componentry connected to the motor line. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A speed controller for a radio controlled model, comprising:
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a receiver line, first and second battery lines, and a motor line; means in the form of a drive circuit connected between the first battery line and the motor line for switching between an ON state in which the drive circuit couples the first battery line to the motor line and an OFF state in which the drive circuit decouples the first battery line from the motor line; and means in the form of microprocessor circuitry connected to the receiver line and the drive circuit for switching the drive circuit under program control between the ON state and the OFF state according to setpoint information received by the control circuit from a receiver connected to the receiver line; the microprocessor circuitry being programmed to produce an audible feedback signal by cycling the drive circuit between the ON state and the OFF state at an audible rate for a controlled period of time at a duty ratio sufficiently small to avoid significant normal motor operation so that current flowing through the drive circuit causes audibly discernible mechanical vibration of at least one of the drive circuit, battery componentry connected to the first and second battery lines, and motor componentry connected to the second battery line and the motor line. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A speed controller, comprising:
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means in the form of a module for housing various electronic circuit components and supporting them on a radio controlled model; and means in the form of speed controller circuitry on the module for controlling the flow of current between a battery and a motor according to setpoint information received from a receiver; the speed controller circuitry having first and second battery lines, a motor line, and means in the form of microprocessor circuitry for switching the speed controller circuitry under program control between an ON state in which the speed controller circuitry couples the first battery line to the motor line and an OFF state in which the speed controller circuitry decouples the first battery line from the motor line; and the microprocessor circuitry being programmed to produce an audible signal without a conventional acoustic transducer device by switching between the ON state and the OFF state at an audible rate for a controlled period of time at a duty ratio sufficiently small to avoid normal motor operation so that a resulting current flow causes audible mechanical vibration of at least one of the speed controller circuitry, battery componentry connected to the first and second battery lines, and motor componentry connected to the second battery line and the motor line.
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Specification