Split gain transfer function for smart motor actuators
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorMike Robert Garrard
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a motor actuator for positioning a moveable element. Operational characteristics of the movable element over its operational range are determined. A first PWM signal to control the actuator over a first portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. A second PWM signal to control the actuator over a second portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. The first PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a first gain level and the second PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a second gain level. An output position of the moveable element is executed based the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal.
Claims18
A method of operating an actuator for positioning a movable element, the method comprising:
- determining operational characteristics of the movable element over its operational range of motion;
- generating a first PWM signal to control the actuator over a first portion of the operational range of motion of the movable element;
- generating a second PWM signal to control the actuator over a second portion of the operational range of motion of the movable element, wherein:
- the first PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a first gain level and the second PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a second gain level, and
- the first portion of the operational range of motion requires a lower degree of accuracy than the second portion of the operational range of motion;
- executing an output position of the movable element based the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal;
- and
- determining a distribution of a piecewise linear transfer function, the distribution describing:
- (a) the first gain level over the first portion of the operational range of motion,
- (b) the second gain level over the second portion of the operational range of motion, and
- (c) the remaining operational range of motion of the movable element is subject to a third gain level of that defined by the distribution.
An actuator control system comprising a control unit in operable communication with an actuator for positioning a movable element, the control unit being configured to:
- determine one or more operational characteristics of the movable element over its operational range of motion;
- generate a first PWM signal to control the actuator over a first portion of the operational range of motion of the movable element;
- generate a second PWM signal to control the actuator over a second portion of the operational range of motion of the movable element, wherein:
- the first PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a first gain level and the second PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a second gain level, and
- the first portion of the operational range of motion requires a lower degree of accuracy than the second portion of the operational range of motion;
- and
- execute an output position of the movable element based the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal;
- and
- determining a distribution of a piecewise linear transfer function, the distribution describing:
- (a) the first gain level over the first portion of the operational range of motion,
- (b) the second gain level over the second portion of the operational range of motion, and
- (c) the remaining operational range of motion of the movable element is subject to a third gain level of that defined by the distribution.
A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions encoded thereon that when executed by control circuitry cause the control circuitry to:
- determine operational characteristics of the movable element over its operational range of motion;
- generate a first PWM signal to control an actuator over a first portion of the operational range of motion of the movable element;
- generate a second PWM signal to control the actuator over a second portion of the operational range of motion of the movable element, wherein:
- the first PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a first gain level and the second PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a second gain level, and
- the first portion of the operational range of motion requires a lower degree of accuracy than the second portion of the operational range of motion;
- execute an output position of the movable element based the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal;
- and
- determine a distribution of a piecewise linear transfer function, the distribution describing:
- (a) the first gain level over the first portion of the operational range of motion,
- (b) the second gain level over of the second portion of the operational range of motion, and
- (c) the remaining operational range of motion of the movable element is subject to a third gain level of that defined by the distribution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.