Control system for an electric motor

• US 6,538,400 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Barry, David M., Kramer, Dennis A., Goldberg, Ira B., Fin, Enrico, Garrido, Pascal, Quere, Jerome, Chiu, Stephen, Hopson, Charles, Fowler, Craig Rae, Chene, George, Rogovin, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duda, Rina I.
• Application Number:
  US09/850,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20020167286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 318/34, 318/35, 318/139, 318/727, 318/798, 318/801, 318/805, 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.8, 310/316.01, 310/318
• US Class Current: 318/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/35 Devices for recording or transmitting machine parameters, e.g. memory chips or radio transmitters for diagnosis

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling multiple vehicle systems includes a single power supply that provides a direct current source. The power supply is comprised of a thirty-six volt (36 V) battery power distribution system. A converter is electrically connected to the power supply to convert direct current to alternating current. A plurality of induction motors are used to operate various vehicle systems. The motors receive alternating current via electrical connections between the converter and the motors. A central processor is connected to relays sending power to each of the motors and provides control signals to the motors based on input from control members used to activate each of the various vehicle systems. At least one sensor is associated with each of the motors to monitor voltage or current of the respective motor and to generate a diagnostic signal that is sent to the processor. The processor generates a warning signal when any of the diagnostic signals indicates that voltage within the respective motor is outside a predetermined range. A piezoelectric material is associated with each of the motors to provide an internal control signal for the motor. The piezoelectric material can be used to control acceleration or deceleration of the motor based on the rotational force of a rotor within the motor or can be use to activate an auxiliary winding in the motor based on mechanical input to the respective controller.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling multiple vehicle systems comprising:

a single power supply providing a direct current source;

a power converter electrically connected to said power supply for converting direct current to alternating current;

a plurality of induction motors for operating various vehicle systems, said motors receiving alternating current via electrical connections between said converter and said motors;

a central processor connected to relays that send power to each of said motors for providing control signals to said motors based on input from control members used to activate each of said various vehicle systems;

at least one sensor associated with each of said motors for monitoring voltage or current of said respective motor and generating a diagnostic signal that is sent to said processor; and

a piezoelectric material associated with each of said motors for providing an internal feedback control signal for said motor.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said single power supply is a thirty-six volt (36 V) battery power distribution system.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said processor generates a warning signal when any of said diagnostic signals indicates that voltage or current within said respective motor is less than a predetermined limit.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said piezoelectric material is mounted on a rotor that rotates within each of said induction motors, said piezoelectric material providing a feedback signal that varies based on the centrifugal force experienced by said rotor wherein said feedback signal regulates acceleration and deceleration of said rotor.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said piezoelectric material is associated with each of said control members used to activate said various vehicle systems such that when a mechanical force is applied to said control member a voltage pulse is generated by said piezoelectric material which energizes an auxiliary winding in said motor.

6. An apparatus for controlling multiple vehicle systems comprising:

a forty-two volt (42 V) power distribution system for generating direct current;

a converter mechanism electrically connected to said power distribution system for converting direct current to alternating current;

a plurality of induction motors for operating various vehicle systems, said motors receiving alternating current via electrical connections between said converter mechanism and said motors;

a plurality of control members for actuating said various vehicle systems; and

a central processor connected to each of said motors for receiving sensor feedback signals from said motors based on input from said control members.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 including at least one sensor associated with each of said motors for monitoring voltage or current of said respective motor and generating a diagnostic signal that is sent to said processor.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said processor generates a warning signal when any of said diagnostic signals indicates that voltage or current within said respective motor is outside a predetermined range.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said warning signal is transmitted to an indicator installed within a vehicle dash.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said induction motors is comprised of a stator electrically connected to said converter mechanism and a rotor that rotates with respect to said stator.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10 including a piezoelectric material mounted on said rotor and responsive to the centrifugal force generated as said rotor rotates with respect to said stator, said piezoelectric material generating a feedback signal for regulation of acceleration and deceleration of said rotor.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 10 including a piezoelectric material associated with each of said control members such that when a mechanical force is applied to said controller a voltage pulse is generated by said piezoelectric material to start said motor.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said voltage pulse energizes an auxiliary winding in said motor.

14. An apparatus for controlling multiple vehicle systems comprising:

a single power supply providing a direct current source;

a converter electrically connected to said power supply for converting direct current to alternating current;

at least one induction motor for operating a vehicle system wherein said motor has a stator electrically connected to said converter and a rotor that rotates with respect to said stator;

a central processor connected to relays that send power to said motor based on input from a control member used to activate said vehicle system; and

a piezoelectric material mounted on said rotor and responsive to the centrifugal force generated as said rotor rotates with respect to said stator, said piezoelectric material generating a feedback signal for regulation of acceleration and deceleration of said rotor.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said single power supply is a thirty-six volt (36 V) battery power distribution system.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15 including at least one sensor associated with said motor for monitoring motor voltage or current and generating a diagnostic signal that is sent to said processor.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16 said processor generates a warning signal when said diagnostic signal indicates that voltage within said motor is outside a predetermined range.

18. An apparatus for controlling multiple vehicle systems comprising:

a single power supply providing a direct current source;

a converter electrically connected to said power supply for converting direct current to alternating current;

at least one induction motor for operating a vehicle system wherein said motor has a stator electrically connected to said converter and a rotor that rotates with respect to said stator;

a central processor connected to relays for providing a control signal to said motor based on input from a control member used to activate said vehicle system; and

a piezoelectric material associated with said control member such that when a mechanical force is applied to said control member a voltage pulse is generated by said piezoelectric material to start said motor.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said single power supply is a thirty-six volt (36 V) battery power distribution system.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein said voltage pulse energizes an auxiliary winding in said motor.