Pulse count motor control device

• US 6,936,989 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Hogan, Michael Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Leykin, Rita
• Application Number:
  US10/216,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20040027087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 318/569, 318/599, 318/600, 318/34, 318/111, 318/112, 318/113, 318/603, 318/563.11, 318/567, 701/33, 701/36, 701/102, 701/29, 701/49, 363/41, 370/464, 73/11.1, 73/17.5
• 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 plurality of motors that operate by pulse count technology;

a pulse count motor control module including a motor pulse count microprocessor and pulse count motor drive circuitry that is connected to and directly operates and monitors pulse count control of the plurality of motors; and

a central control unit including a microprocessor that provides general operating instructions to the pulse count control module, such that the pulse control module determines the state of the motors,

wherein said pulse count control module further includes diagnostic and calibration functions for monitoring and calibrating said at least one motor.

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 count 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. A pulse count motor control device, comprising:

means for program-controlled communicating with a central control unit; and

means for program-controlled communicating with at least two motors, wherein each motor is controlled by a pulse count control module,

wherein said central control unit issues general operating instructions for controlling a system that includes said at least two motors, and based on these general operating instructions, said pulse control module determines a state for said at least two motors so as to divert control over said at least two motors from the central control unit to the pulse count control module, and

wherein the motor control device further comprises means for diagnosing and calibrating said at least one motor in communication with said count control module.

14. The motor control device according to claim 13, wherein said count control is used within a vehicle.

15. The motor control device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one motor is part of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of said vehicle.

16. The motor control device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle window.

17. The motor control device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle sunroof.

18. The motor control device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a position of a seat.

19. The motor control device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a vehicle mirror.

20. The motor control system according to claim 14, wherein said at least one motor is used to control a power-assisted driver control.

21. The motor control system according to claim 20, wherein said power-assisted driver control comprises an adjustable foot pedal.

22. The motor control system according to claim 20, wherein said power-assisted driver control comprises an adjustable steering column.

23. The motor control device according to claim 13, wherein said means for communicating with said central control unit includes a data communication network.