Resistive braking module with thermal protection

A braking module, comprising:

• a plurality of input terminals adapted to receive a motor drive signal including a plurality of phase components;
• a plurality of output terminals;
• a braking load coupled across the output terminals;
• and
• control logic adapted to receive a motor enable signal, couple the output terminals to the input terminals responsive to the motor enable signal being asserted, couple the output terminals to the braking load responsive to the motor enable signal being deasserted, and prevent the coupling of the output terminals to the input terminals responsive to a temperature of the braking module exceeding a predetermined disable set point.

A motor control system, comprising:

• a motor;
• a motor drive unit adapted to generate a motor enable signal and a motor drive signal;
• and
• a braking module coupled between the motor drive unit and the motor,
• comprising,
• a braking load;
• an input terminal coupled to the motor drive unit for receiving the motor drive signal;
• an output terminal coupled to the motor;
• and
• control logic adapted to receive the motor enable signal, couple the output terminal to the input terminal responsive to the motor enable signal being asserted, couple the output terminal to the braking load responsive to the motor enable signal being deasserted, and prevent the coupling of the output terminal to the input terminal responsive to a temperature of the braking module exceeding a predetermined disable set point.

A method for controlling a motor, comprising:

• coupling a drive lead carrying a motor drive signal to a motor lead of the motor responsive to a motor enable signal being asserted;
• coupling the motor lead to a braking load responsive to the motor enable signal being deasserted;
• and
• preventing the coupling of the drive lead to the motor lead responsive to a temperature of the braking load exceeding a predetermined disable set point.

A system for controlling a motor, comprising:

• means for coupling a drive lead carrying a motor drive signal to a motor lead of the motor responsive to a motor enable signal being asserted;
• means for coupling the motor lead to a braking load responsive to the motor enable signal being deasserted;
• and
• means for preventing the coupling of the drive lead to the motor lead responsive to a temperature of the braking load exceeding a predetermined disable set point