Controller for a brushless motor
AssigneeDyson Technology Limited
InventorsDavid John Hawker, Hanping Dai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller for a brushless motor that includes a processor, a first timer, a second timer, a compare register, a comparator, an input, and one or more outputs. The processor starts the first timer in response to a signal at the input. The first timer then generates an interrupt after a first period. In response to the interrupt, the processor generates a first control signal at the outputs. The processor also loads the compare register and starts the second timer in response to either the input signal or the interrupt. The comparator then generates a second control signal at the outputs when the second timer and the compare register correspond. Additionally, a motor system that includes the controller.
Claims13
A controller for a brushless motor, the controller comprising a processor, a first timer, a second timer, a compare register, a comparator, an input, and one or more outputs, wherein:
- the processor starts the first timer in response to a signal at the input;
- the first timer generates an interrupt after a first period;
- the processor generates a first control signal at the outputs in response to the interrupt;
- the processor loads the compare register and starts the second timer in response to one of the input signal and the interrupt;
- and
- the comparator compares the second timer and the compare register and generates a second control signal at the outputs when the second timer and the compare register correspond.
A motor system comprising a control system and a brushless motor, the brushless motor comprising a rotor and a stator having a winding, and the control system comprising a position sensor for sensing the position of the rotor and outputting a position-sensor signal, and a controller for generating a first control signal to excite the winding and a second control signal to freewheel the winding, wherein the controller comprises a processor, a first timer, a second timer, a compare register, a comparator, an input receiving the position-sensor signal, and one or more outputs, wherein:
- the processor starts the first timer in response to an edge of the position-sensor signal;
- the first timer generates an interrupt after a first period;
- the processor generates the first control signal at the outputs in response to the interrupt;
- the processor loads the compare register and starts the second timer in response to one of the edge of the position-sensor signal and the interrupt;
- and
- the comparator compares the second timer and the compare register and generates the second control signal at the outputs when the second timer and the compare register correspond.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.