Method and apparatus for the improved control of motors and of motor-actuated work apparatus
AssigneeGerber Scientific Products, Inc.
InventorsLeonard G. Rich, Raymond Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is control circuitry for providing controlling a motor responsive to feedback signals. The control circuit includes a velocity sensor for coupling with the motor for providing a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor, and circuitry for providing a feedback signal responsive to a voltage associated with the motor, such as the back emf of a coil associated with the motor. The control circuitry can be used enhance the Z-axis control of a tool of a work apparatus for performing work operations on a work material, such as a cutting apparatus for cutting a sheet of vinyl having a releasable backing for generating graphic products.
Claims29
A control circuit for providing feedback for controlling of a motor responsive to feedback signals, comprising:
- a velocity sensor for coupling with the motor for providing a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor to increase damping;
- and
- means for providing a second feedback signal responsive to the back emf of a coil associated with the motor for additional damping.
A control system having a motor and controls therefor, said control system including a velocity sensor for providing velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of said motor to increase damping, and wherein said control system includes a feedback path for feeding back to said motor a second feedback signal responsive to the back emf of a coil associated with said motor for additional damping, whereas said motor is controlled responsive to said feedback signals.
A method for providing enhanced control of a motor, including the steps of:
- monitoring a velocity associated with the motor to generate a first feedback signal to increase damping;
- and
- monitoring a back emf of a coil associated with the motor to generate an additional feedback signal for additional damping, and adjusting a control signal for the motor responsive to the first and the additional feedback signal.
An apparatus for performing work operations with a tool on a work material responsive to an instruction signal and having improved control of the tool, comprising:
- a support structure having a support surface for supporting the work material;
- a work head mechanically coupled to the support structure and for mounting the tool;
- at least one motor for moving the tool toward and away from the work material for selectively engaging the work material for performing the work operations thereon;
- and
- control circuitry for sending a control signal to the motor responsive to the instruction signal and selected feedback signals, said circuitry including a velocity sensor for generating a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor for purposes of damping and a summer for combining the velocity feedback signal with the instruction signal and with a second feedback signal responsive to a voltage associated with the motor to generate the control signal for additional damping, whereby said motor is controlled responsive to said control signal for facilitating the performance of the work operations on the work material.
A method of performing work operations with a tool on a work material so as to have improved control of the tool, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a support structure having at least one support surface for supporting the work material;
- coupling a work head mechanically to the support structure and mounting the tool thereon;
- coupling at least one motor to the tool for moving the tool toward and away from the work material for selectively engaging the work material;
- generating an instruction signal representative of the desired movement of the motor;
- obtaining a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor
- obtaining a second feedback signal to increase damping;
- responsive to a voltage associated with the motor to further increase damping;
- combining the feedback signals with the instruction signal to provide a control signal;
- and
- sending the control signal to the motor, whereby the motor is controlled to facilitate performing the work operations on the work material responsive to the instruction sign.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.