Motor drive control device, motor unit, and motor drive control method

Abstract

To improve the driving efficiency of a motor.SOLUTION: A motor drive control device 1 includes: a target point determination part 12 that is synchronized to an excitation voltage of a U-phase coil Lu of a motor 5, and determines a target point P of a zero cross of a U-phase coil current Iu on the basis of a position detection signal Shu corresponded to a rotational position of a rotor of the motor 5; a current zero cross point estimation part 14 that estimates a zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu on the basis of the fact that an order of timing when a driving voltage Vu of the U-phase coil current Lu becomes a high level and timing when a PWM signal Suu turning on / off a high-side switch QuH corresponding to the U-phase becomes a high level are replaced; a phase adjustment determination part 15 that determines a requirement of a phase adjustment of the U-phase coil current Iu on the basis of a phase difference Δφ between the target point P and the zero cross point Q; and a driving control signal generation part 16 that generates a driving control signal Sd on the basis of a determination result S2 by the phase adjustment determination part 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor drive control device, a motor unit, and a motor drive control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, when a motor having multiple phase coils is sinusoidally driven, it is known that the motor can be driven efficiently by matching the phase of the induced voltage in the coil with the phase of the coil current (phase current) for each phase of the motor.

[0003] However, due to changes in motor characteristics caused by the motor's rotation speed, motor load, and temperature, a phase shift may occur between the induced voltage and the coil current (phase current), which may result in a deterioration in the motor's driving efficiency.

[0004] As a technique for solving such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for adjusting the phase of a coil's drive voltage relative to the phase of the motor's coil current. Specifically, the motor drive control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 sets a detection interval for detecting induced voltage before and after the point where the induced voltage generated in a coil of a specified phase of the motor becomes zero (voltage zero cross point) by stopping the drive voltage for that coil. The motor drive control device then compares the magnitude of the coil's terminal voltage with a threshold voltage in that detection interval, thereby detecting the phase of the coil's induced voltage and adjusting the phase of the drive voltage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-23734 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that the coil be stopped during the detection period, and therefore, unless the length of the period during which the coil is stopped (detection period) is set appropriately, the motor drive waveform may be disturbed, causing the motor rotation to become unstable.

[0007] Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have considered the need for a new motor drive control technique to improve the drive efficiency of the motor.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to improve the driving efficiency of a motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A motor drive control device according to a representative embodiment of the present invention includes a control circuit that generates a drive control signal, which is a PWM signal for driving a motor having a coil of at least one phase, and a drive circuit that includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch connected in series to each other and provided corresponding to the coil of each phase of the motor, and that alternately turns on and off the high-side switch and the low-side switch in response to the drive control signal to switch the direction of current flow to the coil of the corresponding phase, and the control circuit is synchronized with an induced voltage of a coil of a predetermined phase of the motor, and determines a target point of zero crossing of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on a position detection signal that corresponds to the rotational position of the rotor of the motor. a current zero-cross point estimation unit that estimates a zero-cross point of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the fact that the order of the timing at which the drive voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase becomes high level and the timing at which the switch signal that turns on and off the high-side switch corresponding to the predetermined phase becomes high level is reversed for each cycle of the PWM signal; a phase adjustment determination unit that determines whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on the phase difference between the target point determined by the target point determination unit and the zero-cross point estimated by the current zero-cross point estimation unit; and a drive control signal generation unit that generates the drive control signal based on the determination result by the phase adjustment determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the driving efficiency of a motor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a motor unit 100 equipped with a motor drive control device 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining a phase adjustment function performed by the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a state when the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL are turned off while a positive (+) polarity U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a state when the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL are turned off while a negative (-) polarity U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the driving state of the U-phase coil Lu. [Figure 5A] 5 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 5B] 5 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a current zero cross point estimating unit 14 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of a motor drive control process performed by the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart showing the process (step S4) of estimating the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process (step S5) of adjusting the energization timing of the motor 5 in FIG. 7. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a current zero cross point estimator 14A according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining polarity determination in a current zero cross point estimator 14A according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process (step S4) for estimating a zero-cross point Q of a U-phase coil current Iu in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1. Overview of the embodiment First, a typical embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application will be outlined. In the following description, for example, reference numerals in the drawings corresponding to the components of the invention will be given in parentheses.

[0013] [1] A motor drive control device (1, 1A) according to a representative embodiment of the present invention includes a control circuit (2) that generates drive control signals (Sd, Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, Swl) that are PWM signals for driving a motor (5) having coils of at least one phase, and a drive circuit (3) that includes high-side switches (QuH, QvH, QwH) and low-side switches (QuL, QvL, QwL) that are connected in series and provided corresponding to the coils (Lu, Lv, Lw) of each phase of the motor, and that alternately turns on and off the high-side switches and the low-side switches in response to the drive control signals to switch the direction of current flow through the coils of the corresponding phases, and the control circuit synchronizes with an induced voltage of a coil of a predetermined phase (e.g., a U phase) of the motor and controls the coil of the predetermined phase based on a position detection signal (Shu) that corresponds to the rotational position of a rotor of the motor. a current zero-cross point estimation unit (14, 14A) that estimates a zero-cross point (Q) of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the fact that the order of the timing (first timing) at which the drive voltage (Vu) of the coil of the predetermined phase becomes high level and the timing (second timing) at which the switch signal (Suu) that turns on and off the high-side switch (QuH) corresponding to the predetermined phase becomes high level is interchanged for each cycle of the PWM signal; a phase adjustment determination unit (15) that determines whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on a phase difference (Δφ) between the target point determined by the target point determination unit and the zero-cross point estimated by the current zero-cross point estimation unit; and a drive control signal generation unit (16) that generates the drive control signal based on the determination result by the phase adjustment determination unit.

[0014] [2] In the motor drive control device described in [1] above, the current zero-cross point estimation unit may have a rising edge detection unit that detects the rising edge of the drive voltage and the rising edge of the switch signal, respectively, and a timing comparison unit that determines the order by comparing the detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage detected by the rising edge detection unit with the rising edge of the switch signal.

[0015] [3] In the motor drive control device described in [2] above, the current zero cross point estimation unit may further include a current direction determination unit that determines that the coil current of the specified phase is positive polarity when the detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage is after the detection timing of the rising edge of the switch signal, and that determines that the coil current of the specified phase is negative polarity when the detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage is before the detection timing of the rising edge of the switch signal.

[0016] [4] In the motor drive control device described in [3] above, the current zero-cross point estimation unit may further include a zero-cross point detection unit that estimates that the zero-cross point exists during an off period of the drive voltage when the coil current of the specified phase changes from positive to negative polarity or from negative to positive polarity.

[0017] [5] In the motor drive control device described in [1] above, the current zero cross point estimation unit may have a comparator that determines the order by comparing the magnitude of the drive voltage with the magnitude of the voltage of the switch signal.

[0018] [6] In the motor drive control device described in [1] above, the comparator may output a pulse when the magnitude of the voltage of the switch signal is greater than the magnitude of the drive voltage, and the current zero-cross point estimation unit may further include a current direction determination unit that determines that the coil current of the specified phase is positive polarity when the output of the pulse is detected within a certain time, and that determines that the coil current of the specified phase is negative polarity when the output of the pulse is not detected within the certain time.

[0019] [7] In the motor drive control device described in [6] above, the current zero-cross point estimation unit may further include a zero-cross point detection unit that estimates that the zero-cross point exists during an off period of the drive voltage when the coil current of the specified phase changes from positive to negative polarity or from negative to positive polarity.

[0020] [8] In the motor drive control device described in [7] above, the phase adjustment determination unit may calculate the phase difference between the target point and the zero-cross point, and instruct the drive control signal generation unit to shift the output timing of the drive control signal by a time corresponding to the phase difference.

[0021] [9] A motor unit (100) according to a representative embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising the motor drive control device (1, 1A) described in any one of [1] to [8] above, and the motor (5).

[0022]

[10] A motor drive control method according to a representative embodiment of the present invention is a motor drive control method using a motor drive control device including: a control circuit that generates a drive control signal, which is a PWM signal for driving a motor having a coil of at least one phase; and a drive circuit that includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch connected in series and provided corresponding to the coil of each phase of the motor, and that alternately turns on and off the high-side switch and the low-side switch in response to the drive control signal to switch the current flow direction of the coil of the corresponding phase, wherein the control circuit synchronizes with an induced voltage of a coil of a predetermined phase of the motor and detects a zero-crossing of a coil current of the predetermined phase based on a position detection signal corresponding to the rotational position of a rotor of the motor. a second step (S4) in which the control circuit estimates a zero-cross point of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the fact that the order of rising edges of the drive voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase and the switch signal that turns on and off the high-side switch corresponding to the predetermined phase is interchanged for each cycle of the PWM signal; a third step (S52, S53) in which the control circuit determines whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on the phase difference between the target point determined in the first step and the zero-cross point estimated in the second step; and a fourth step (S54 to S56) in which the control circuit generates the drive control signal based on the determination result in the third step.

[0023] 2. Specific examples of embodiments Hereinafter, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components common to the embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0024] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a motor unit 100 equipped with a motor drive control device 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0025] The motor unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a motor 5, a position detection device 6, and a motor drive control device 1.

[0026] The motor 5 is a motor having at least one coil, for example, a brushless DC motor having three-phase (U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase) coils (windings) Lu, Lv, and Lw.

[0027] The position detector 6 is a device that generates a position detection signal Shu according to the rotation of the rotor of the motor 5. The position detector 6 is, for example, a Hall element. The Hall element detects the magnetic poles of the rotor and outputs a Hall signal whose voltage changes according to the rotation of the rotor. The Hall signal is, for example, a pulse signal, and is input to the motor drive control device 1 as the position detection signal Shu.

[0028] In the motor unit 100, one Hall element serving as the position detector 6 is disposed at a position corresponding to one of the coils Lu, Lv, Lw of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the motor 5. Therefore, the Hall signal output from the position detector 6 is a signal synchronized with the induced voltage of one of the coils Lu, Lv, and Lw of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the motor 5.

[0029] In the first embodiment, one Hall element serving as the position detector 6 is disposed at a position corresponding to, for example, the U-phase coil Lu. As a result, the position detection signal (Hall signal) Shu is synchronized with the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu of the motor 5 and corresponds to the rotational position of the rotor of the motor 5.

[0030] Although details will be described later, in the first embodiment, as a specific example, the position detection device 6 is placed at a position where the rising edge of the position detection signal (Hall signal) Shu output from the position detection device 6 can be detected at a timing delayed by 30 electrical degrees from the zero cross point of the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu.

[0031] The motor drive control device 1 is a device that controls the driving of the motor 5. The motor drive control device 1 performs sinusoidal wave driving of the motor 5, for example, by a one-sensor driving method based on a position detection signal Shu from one position detection device 6 (Hall element) provided at a position corresponding to the U-phase coil Lu.

[0032] Specifically, the motor drive control device 1 includes a control circuit 2, a drive circuit 3, and a phase voltage detection circuit 4. The motor drive control device 1 receives a DC voltage Vdd (not shown) from an external DC power supply (not shown). The DC voltage Vdd is supplied to a power supply line (not shown) within the motor drive control device 1 via, for example, a protection circuit or the like, and is input via the power supply line to the control circuit 2 and the drive circuit 3 as power supply voltages Vdd1 and Vdd2, respectively.

[0033] The DC voltage Vdd is not directly supplied to the control circuit 2, but rather, for example, a voltage obtained by lowering the DC voltage Vdd using a regulator circuit is supplied as a power supply voltage Vdd1 to the control circuit 2. For example, the power supply voltage Vdd1 input to the control circuit 2 is set to 5 V, and the power supply voltage Vdd2 input to the drive circuit 3 is set to 12 V, for example.

[0034] The drive circuit 3 is a circuit that drives the motor 5 based on a drive control signal Sd output from a control circuit 2, which will be described later. The drive control signal Sd is a signal for controlling the driving of the motor 5. For example, the drive control signal Sd is a PWM signal for driving the motor 5 in a sine wave.

[0035] The drive circuit 3 switches the connection destination of the coils of the motor 5 between the power supply voltage Vdd2 and the ground potential GND based on the drive control signal Sd, thereby switching the direction of the coil current and rotating the motor 5. Specifically, the drive circuit 3 includes high-side switches QuH, QvH, QwH and low-side switches QuL, QvL, QwL, which are provided corresponding to the coils Lu, Lu, Lw of each phase of the motor 5 and are connected in series with each other. The drive circuit 3 turns on and off the high-side switches QuH, QvH, QwH and the low-side switches QuL, QvL, QwL in response to PWM signals (an example of switch signals) Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl, which serve as the drive control signal Sd, thereby switching the direction of current flow through each of the coils Lu, Lv, and Lw.

[0036] The PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl are input to each of the six high-side switches QuH, QvH, and QwH and the six low-side switches QuL, QvL, and QwL, respectively, and turn the corresponding switches on and off.

[0037] For example, the high-side switches QuH, QvH, and QwH are P-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), and the low-side switches QuL, QvL, and QwL are N-channel MOSFETs.

[0038] The high-side switches QuH, QvH, and QwH and the low-side switches QuL, QvL, and QwL may be other types of power transistors, such as an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor).

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL are connected in series between the power supply voltage Vdd2 and the ground potential GND to form one switching leg (arm). The connection point between the high-side switch QuH and the low-side switch QuL is connected to one end of the coil Lu. The high-side switch QuH is switched on and off by the PWM signal Suu. The low-side switch QuL is switched on and off by the PWM signal Sul.

[0040] The V-phase high-side switch QvH and low-side switch QvL are connected in series between the DC voltage Vdd and the ground potential GND, forming one switching leg. The connection point between the high-side switch QvH and the low-side switch QvL is connected to one end of the coil Lv. The high-side switch QvH is switched on and off by the PWM signal Svu. The low-side switch QvL is switched on and off by the PWM signal Svl.

[0041] The W-phase high-side switch QwH and low-side switch QwL are connected in series between the power supply voltage Vdd2 and ground potential GND, forming one switching leg. The connection point between the high-side switch QwH and low-side switch QwL is connected to one end of the coil Lw. The high-side switch QwH is switched on and off by the PWM signal Swu. The low-side switch QwL is switched on and off by the PWM signal Swl.

[0042] Parasitic diodes are formed in each transistor serving as the high-side switches QuH, QvH, QwH and the low-side switches QuL, QvL, QwL, and these diodes function as freewheeling diodes that return the coil current to the power supply voltage Vdd2 or the ground potential GND.

[0043] The drive circuit 3 may have a pre-drive circuit for driving the high-side switch and the low-side switch of each phase based on the drive control signal Sd. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, a sense resistor for detecting the current of the motor 5 may be connected to the ground potential GND side of the drive circuit 3.

[0044] The phase voltage detection circuit 4 is a circuit for detecting the drive voltage of a coil of a predetermined phase of the motor 5. In the first embodiment, the phase voltage detection circuit 4 detects, for example, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu and inputs it to the control circuit 2. The phase voltage detection circuit 4 is, for example, a resistive voltage divider circuit connected between one end of the coil Lu to which the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL are connected and the ground potential GND.

[0045] Note that, while FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which the drive voltage Vu of the coil Lu is divided by a resistive voltage divider circuit serving as the phase voltage detection circuit 4 and input to the control circuit 2, the drive voltage Vu of the coil Lu may be input directly to the control circuit 2 without providing the phase voltage detection circuit 4.

[0046] The control circuit 2 is a circuit for comprehensively controlling the operation of the motor drive control device 1. In the first embodiment, the control circuit 2 is a program processing device having a configuration in which a processor such as a CPU, various storage devices such as RAM, ROM, and flash memory, and peripheral circuits such as a counter (timer), an A / D conversion circuit, a D / A conversion circuit, a clock generation circuit, and an input / output interface circuit are connected to each other via a bus or dedicated lines. For example, the control circuit 2 is a microcontroller (MCU: Micro Controller Unit).

[0047] The control circuit 2 and the drive circuit 3 may be configured to be packaged as a single semiconductor integrated circuit (IC: Integrated Circuit), or may be configured to be packaged as separate integrated circuits, mounted on a circuit board, and electrically connected to each other on the circuit board.

[0048] The control circuit 2 has a basic function of generating a drive control signal Sd and providing it to the drive circuit 3 to control the energization of the motor 5. Specifically, the control circuit 2 generates the drive control signal Sd and provides it to the drive circuit 3 based on a drive command signal Sc that indicates a target value for driving the motor 5 and is input from the outside (for example, a higher-level device) and a position detection signal Shu that is input from the position detection device 6, so that the motor 5 is in the drive state specified by the drive command signal Sc.

[0049] In addition to the above basic functions, the control circuit 2 also has a function (hereinafter also referred to as the "phase adjustment function") of adjusting the timing of energization of the motor 5 so that the phase of the induced voltage of a coil of a specified phase of the motor 5 matches the phase of the coil current, in order to improve the driving efficiency of the motor 5.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit 2 has, as functional units for realizing the above-mentioned functions, for example, a drive command analysis unit 11, a target point determination unit 12, a phase voltage input unit 13, a current zero-cross point estimation unit 14, a phase adjustment determination unit 15, and a drive control signal generation unit 16.

[0051] Each of the above-described functional units of the control circuit 2 is realized, for example, by program processing of an MCU serving as the control circuit 2. Specifically, each of the above-described functional units is realized by a processor constituting the MCU serving as the control circuit 2 performing various calculations in accordance with a program stored in a memory to control various peripheral circuits constituting the MCU.

[0052] The drive command analysis unit 11 receives, for example, a drive command signal Sc output from a higher-level device (not shown). The drive command signal Sc is a signal that indicates a target value related to the drive of the motor 5, and is, for example, a speed command signal that indicates a target rotation speed of the motor 5.

[0053] The drive command analyzer 11 analyzes the target rotation speed specified by the drive command signal Sc. For example, if the drive command signal Sc is a PWM signal having a duty ratio corresponding to the target rotation speed, the drive command analyzer 11 analyzes the duty ratio of the drive command signal Sc and outputs information on the rotation speed corresponding to the duty ratio as the target rotation speed S1.

[0054] The drive control signal generator 16 calculates the operation amount S3 of the motor 5 so that the rotation speed of the motor 5 coincides with the target rotation speed S1, and generates the drive control signal Sd based on the calculated operation amount S3. Note that, among the functions of the drive control signal generator 16, a function relating to phase adjustment will be described later.

[0055] The drive control signal generating unit 16 includes, for example, a PWM command unit 17 and a PWM signal generating unit 18. The PWM command unit 17 calculates an operation amount S3 of the motor 5 based on the target rotation speed S1 output from the drive command analyzing unit 11 and a determination result S2 from a phase adjustment determining unit 15, which will be described later.

[0056] The manipulated variable S3 includes information specifying the drive amount of the motor 5 required to rotate the motor 5 at the target rotation speed S1. For example, when the motor 5 is PWM-driven as in the first embodiment, the manipulated variable S3 includes a value specifying the period (PWM period) of the PWM signal serving as the drive control signal Sd, a value specifying the ON period of the PWM signal, and a value specifying the output timing of the PWM signal. Details of the value specifying the output timing of the PWM signal will be described later.

[0057] For example, the PWM command unit 17 calculates a value specifying the PWM period of the drive control signal Sd and a value specifying the on period of the PWM signal based on the target rotation speed S1 output from the drive command analysis unit 11, and outputs them as the manipulated variable S3.

[0058] In addition, if the motor drive control device 1 has a feedback control function, for example, the PWM command unit 17 may calculate the actual rotation speed of the motor 5 based on the position detection signal Shu, and perform a PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control calculation so that the calculated actual rotation speed matches the target rotation speed S1, thereby calculating the operation amount S3 (PWM period and on-period) of the motor 5.

[0059] The PWM signal generating unit 18 generates a drive control signal Sd based on the manipulated variable S3 calculated by the PWM command unit 17. Specifically, the PWM signal generating unit 18 generates six types of PWM signals (examples of switch signals) Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl, each having a PWM period and an on-period specified by the manipulated variable S3, and outputs them as the drive control signal Sd. The PWM signal Suu is a signal that switches the U-phase high-side switch QuH on and off. The PWM signal Sul is a signal that switches the U-phase low-side switch QuL on and off. The PWM signal Svu is a signal that switches the V-phase high-side switch QvH on and off. The PWM signal Svl is a signal that switches the V-phase low-side switch QvL on and off. The PWM signal Swu is a signal that switches the W-phase high-side switch QwH on and off. The PWM signal Swl is a signal that switches the W-phase low-side switch QwL on and off.

[0060] In the first embodiment, a dead time period is provided to prevent the high-side switches and low-side switches constituting each switch leg of the U phase, V phase, and W phase from being turned on simultaneously. That is, when the high-side switches and low-side switches constituting each switch leg of the U phase, V phase, and W phase switch between on and off states, the PWM signal generating unit 18 generates the drive control signals Sd (the six types of PWM signals described above) so that a dead time period is formed during which the high-side switches and low-side switches are turned off simultaneously.

[0061] The target point determination unit 12, the phase voltage input unit 13, the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14, and the phase adjustment determination unit 15 are functional units for realizing the above-mentioned phase adjustment function of the motor 5. Before describing each functional unit in detail, an outline of the phase adjustment function according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the phase adjustment function of the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0063] The upper part of Figure 2 shows a waveform 200 of the position detection signal (Hall signal) Shu output from the position detection device 6, the middle part shows a waveform 201 of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu and a waveform 202 of the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu, and the lower part shows a waveform 203 of the U-phase coil current Iu.

[0064] As mentioned above, generally, a phase shift may occur between the induced voltage and the coil current of a motor due to changes in motor characteristics caused by the motor's rotation speed, motor load, and temperature, etc. For example, Figure 2 shows a case where the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu lags behind the phase of the induced voltage in the U-phase coil Lu.

[0065] 2, when a phase shift occurs between the U-phase coil current Iu and the induced voltage, the driving efficiency of the motor 5 decreases. Therefore, the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment detects the shift (phase difference) between the U-phase coil current Iu and the induced voltage, and adjusts the energization timing of the motor 5 so as to reduce the phase difference.

[0066] Specifically, first, the motor drive control device 1 detects the zero-cross point of the induced voltage by taking advantage of the fact that the position detection signal (Hall signal) Shu output from the position detection device 6 (Hall element) provided corresponding to the U-phase coil Lu is synchronized with the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu, and sets this as the target point P of the zero-cross point of the U-phase coil current Iu.

[0067] 2, for example, the position detector 6 is disposed in advance at a position where the rising edge of the position detection signal Shu of the position detector 6 can be detected at a timing delayed by 30 electrical degrees from the zero-cross point of the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu. This allows the motor drive control device 1 to detect (estimate) the zero-cross point of the induced voltage of the coil Lu by detecting the rising edge or falling edge of the position detection signal Shu.

[0068] The installation location of the position detection device 6 may be any location where the phase difference between the timing at which the rising edge of the position detection signal Shu is detected and the zero cross point of the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu is known, and is not limited to the example described above.

[0069] The motor drive control device 1 detects the rising edge or the falling edge of the position detection signal Shu, estimates the zero-cross point of the induced voltage from at least one of the detected edges, and determines the estimated zero-cross point of the induced voltage as the target point P of the zero-cross point of the U-phase coil current Iu.

[0070] Next, the motor drive control device 1 compares the timing at which the drive voltage (phase voltage) of the coil of a predetermined phase (U phase in the first embodiment) goes high with the timing at which a PWM signal (an example of a switch signal) for turning on and off a high-side switch corresponding to the predetermined phase goes high, and estimates the zero-cross point Q of the coil current of the predetermined phase of the motor 5 based on the comparison result. The method for estimating the zero-cross point Q of the coil current will be described in detail later.

[0071] Then, the motor drive control device 1 adjusts the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu so that the estimated zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu coincides with the zero-cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu (the zero-cross point of the induced voltage). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu is adjusted by adjusting the timing of applying the drive voltage Vu to the U-phase coil Lu (performing advance angle control or delay angle control) so that the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu coincides with the target point P. This enables the motor drive control device 1 to improve the drive efficiency of the motor 5.

[0072] Hereinafter, each functional unit for realizing the above-mentioned phase adjustment function will be described in detail.

[0073] The target point determination unit 12 determines a target point P of the zero cross of the coil current of a specified phase based on a position detection signal Shu that is synchronized with the induced voltage of the coil of a specified phase of the motor 5 and corresponds to the rotational position of the rotor of the motor 5.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the target point determination unit 12 detects a rising edge or a falling edge of the position detection signal Shu, which is synchronized with the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu, and determines the zero-cross point of the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu, i.e., the zero-cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu, based on the detected edge. For example, in FIG. 2, if the target point determination unit 12 detects the rising edge of the position detection signal Shu at time t1, the target point determination unit 12 determines time (timing) t0, which is 30 electrical degrees earlier than time t1, as the zero-cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu. Note that the same method is used to determine the zero-cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu when detecting the falling edge of the position detection signal Shu. The target point determination unit 12 outputs information about the phase of the determined zero-cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu to the phase adjustment determination unit 15 as a target point determination signal St.

[0075] The phase voltage input unit 13 acquires the value of the voltage of a predetermined phase of the motor 5. For example, the phase voltage input unit 13 acquires the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu detected by the phase voltage detection circuit 4, converts it into a digital value, and provides it to the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14.

[0076] The current zero-cross point estimator 14 is a functional unit that estimates the zero-cross point Q of the coil current of a predetermined phase based on the fact that the order of the timing at which the drive voltage (phase voltage) of the coil of a predetermined phase goes high and the timing at which the PWM signal that turns on and off the high-side switch corresponding to the predetermined phase goes high is reversed for each cycle of the drive control signal Sd, which is a PWM signal. Below, a method for estimating the zero-cross point Q of the coil current by the current zero-cross point estimator 14 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0077] FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the U-phase high-side switch QuH and the low-side switch QuL are turned off while a positive (+) polarity U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state when the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL are turned off while a negative (-) polarity U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu.

[0078] For example, in the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL, when the PWM signal Suu is at a high level and the PWM signal Sul is at a low level, the U-phase high-side switch QuH is turned on and the U-phase low-side switch QuL is turned off. At this time, current flows from the power supply voltage Vdd2 to the U-phase coil Lu via the U-phase high-side switch QuH, so the U-phase coil current Iu has a positive (+) polarity.

[0079] In this state, that is, when a positive (+) polarity U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu, if the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL are both turned off, the coil Lu will continue to pass current. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3A, the positive polarity U-phase coil current Iu flows from the ground potential GND via the parasitic diode of the low-side switch QuL. As a result, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu drops to near the ground potential GND.

[0080] After that, the PWM signal Suu is controlled to a high level and the PWM signal Sul to a low level so that the U-phase high-side switch QuH is turned on and the U-phase low-side switch QuL is turned off again. At this time, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu has dropped to near the ground potential GND, so it rises after the PWM signal Suu that turns the high-side switch QuH on and off changes to a high level.

[0081] As a result, during the period when the U-phase coil current Iu is positive (+), the timing (first timing) at which the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu becomes high level in one cycle of the PWM signal Suu occurs after the timing (second timing) at which the PWM signal Suu that switches the U-phase high-side switch QuH on and off becomes high level.

[0082] On the other hand, in the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL, when the PWM signal Suu is at a low level and the PWM signal Sul is at a high level, the U-phase high-side switch QuH is turned off and the U-phase low-side switch QuL is turned on. At this time, current flows from the U-phase coil Lu to the ground potential GND via the U-phase low-side switch QuL, so the U-phase coil current Iu has a negative (-) polarity.

[0083] In this state, that is, when a negative (-) U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu, if the U-phase high-side switch QuH and low-side switch QuL are both turned off, the coil Lu will continue to pass current. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3B, a negative U-phase coil current Iu flows from the U-phase coil Lu to the power supply voltage Vdd2 side via the parasitic diode of the high-side switch QuH. As a result, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu rises to near the DC voltage Vdd.

[0084] After that, the PWM signal Suu is controlled to a low level and the PWM signal Sul to a high level so that the U-phase high-side switch QuH is again turned off and the U-phase low-side switch QuL is turned on. At this time, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu has risen to near the DC voltage Vdd, so it rises before the PWM signal Suu that turns the high-side switch QuH on and off changes to a high level.

[0085] As a result, during the period when the U-phase coil current Iu is negative (-), the timing (second timing) at which the PWM signal Suu that switches the U-phase high-side switch QuH on and off becomes high occurs later than the timing (first timing) at which the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu becomes high within one cycle of the PWM signal Suu.

[0086] Therefore, it can be said that when the first timing is later than the second timing, it is determined that the U-phase coil current Iu has a positive (+) polarity, and when the first timing is earlier than the second timing, it is determined that the U-phase coil current Iu has a negative (-) polarity.

[0087] In the current zero cross point estimation unit 14 of the first embodiment, if the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu comes after the rising edge of the U-phase high side PWM signal Suu, the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu is determined to be positive (+), and if the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu comes before the rising edge of the U-phase high side PWM signal Suu, the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu is determined to be negative (-).

[0088] Furthermore, as described above, when the motor is PWM-driven, in one cycle of the PWM signal Suu, the first timing occurs after the second timing during the period in which the U-phase coil current Iu is positive, and the second timing occurs after the first timing during the period in which the U-phase coil current Iu is negative. Therefore, by detecting that the order of the first timing and the second timing has been reversed, it is possible to estimate the zero-crossing point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu.

[0089] Therefore, as described above, the current zero-cross point estimator 14 of the first embodiment determines the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu, and when the polarity changes, estimates that the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu exists during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu.

[0090] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the driving state of the U-phase coil Lu. FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the symbol A in FIG. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the symbol B in FIG.

[0091] 5A shows the drive state before and after the state changes from a state in which a negative (-) U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu to a state in which a positive (+) U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu. FIG. 5B shows the drive state before and after the state changes from a state in which a positive (+) U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu to a state in which a negative (-) U-phase coil current Iu flows through the U-phase coil Lu.

[0092] In Fig. 4, the waveforms of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu, the PWM signal Suu for driving the U-phase high-side switch QuH, and the U-phase coil current Iu are shown in this order from top to bottom. In Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B, in addition to the waveforms similar to those in Fig. 4, the gradient of the current is also shown from top to bottom. In Fig. 4, Fig. 5A, and Fig. 5B, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents current or voltage, respectively.

[0093] Here, regarding the estimation of the existence of the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu in the current zero cross point estimation unit 14 of the first embodiment, consider the case where the U-phase coil current Iu is driven as shown in Figure 4.

[0094] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu changes so as to alternate between negative (-) polarity and positive (+) polarity.

[0095] In the region indicated by the symbol A in Figure 4, the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu changes from negative (-) to positive (+). As shown in Figure 5A, which is an enlarged view of this region, before the zero-crossing point range, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu changes to a high level before the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu. In other words, when the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu is negative (-), the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu precedes the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu.

[0096] 5A, after the zero-crossing point range, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu changes to a high level after the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu. In other words, when the U-phase coil current Iu has positive polarity, the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu occurs after the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu.

[0097] Therefore, in the region indicated by symbol A in Figure 4 and Figure 5A, it is considered that the determination of the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu changes from a determination of negative (-) polarity to a determination of positive (+) polarity before and after the range in which the zero-crossing point exists.

[0098] In the region indicated by the symbol B in Figure 4, the U-phase coil current Iu changes from positive (+) polarity to negative (-) polarity. As shown in Figure 5B, which is an enlarged view of this region, before the zero-crossing point range, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu changes to a high level after the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu. In other words, when the U-phase coil current Iu is positive (+), the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu occurs after the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu.

[0099] 5B, after the zero-crossing point exists range, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu changes to a high level before the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu. In other words, when the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu is negative (-), the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu precedes the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu.

[0100] Therefore, in the region indicated by symbol B in Figure 4 and Figure 5B, it is considered that the determination of the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu changes from a determination of positive (+) polarity to a determination of negative (-) polarity before and after the range in which the zero-cross point exists.

[0101] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, when the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu changes, it can be seen that a zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu exists during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu.

[0102] Therefore, in the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14 of the first embodiment, if the order of the timing at which the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu becomes high level and the timing at which the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu becomes high level is reversed, it is determined that the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu has changed, and it is determined that the zero-cross point existence range exists during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu while the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu has changed.

[0103] The current zero cross point estimator 14 of the first embodiment will be further described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the current zero cross point estimating unit 14 in the first embodiment.

[0104] 6, in the motor drive control device 1 of the first embodiment, the current zero cross point estimator 14 includes a rising edge detector 141, a timing comparator 142, a current direction determiner 143, and a zero cross point detector 144. The current zero cross point estimator 14 can be configured by a microcomputer or a logic circuit.

[0105] 6, the rising edge detection unit 141 receives the phase voltage signal Spv and the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu acquired by the phase voltage input unit 13. The phase voltage signal Spv corresponds to the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu described above. The rising edge detection unit 141 detects the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu and the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu in the phase voltage signal Spv.

[0106] The timing comparison unit 142 determines the order of the rising edges by comparing the detection timings detected by the rising edge detection unit 141. That is, the timing comparison unit 142 determines the order of the rising edges, i.e., the order of the timing at which the drive voltage Vu for the U-phase coil Lu goes high and the timing at which the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu goes high, by comparing the detection timings of the rising edges of the drive voltage Vu for the U-phase coil Lu and the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu, both detected by the rising edge detection unit 141.

[0107] The current direction determination unit 143 determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is positive if the detection of the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu occurs after the detection of the rising edge of the PWM signal Suu that turns the U-phase high-side switch QuH on and off, and determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is negative if the detection of the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu occurs before the detection of the rising edge of the U-phase high-side switch QuH. Furthermore, the current direction determination unit 143 determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is negative if the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu for driving the U-phase high-side switch QuH is 0%.

[0108] The zero-cross point detection unit 144 estimates that when the U-phase coil current Iu changes from positive to negative polarity or from negative to positive polarity, a zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu exists during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu.

[0109] As described above, in the motor drive control device 1 of the first embodiment, the current zero cross point estimator 14 can detect the presence of the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu. When the zero cross point detector 144 of the current zero cross point estimator 14 detects the presence of the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu, it outputs information on the phase of the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu to the phase adjustment determiner 15 as the zero cross point detection signal Sct.

[0110] 1 , phase adjustment determination unit 15 identifies the phase of zero cross point Q of U-phase coil current Iu based on zero cross point detection signal Sct, and identifies the phase determined as zero cross target point P of U-phase coil current Iu based on target point determination signal St. Phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines whether phase adjustment of U-phase coil current Iu is necessary based on the phase difference Δφ between zero cross target point P of U-phase coil current Iu determined by target point determination unit 12 and zero cross point Q of U-phase coil current Iu estimated by current zero cross point estimation unit 14.

[0111] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the phase adjustment determination unit 15 calculates a phase difference Δφ (=phase at time tp−phase at time tq) by subtracting the phase (time tq) of the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu estimated by the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14 from the phase (time tp) of the zero-cross target point P (zero-cross point of the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu) of the U-phase coil current Iu determined by the target point determination unit 12.

[0112] The phase adjustment determination unit 15 instructs the drive control signal generation unit 16 to shift the output timing of the drive control signal Sd by a time corresponding to the phase difference Δφ (=phase at time tp−phase at time tq). Specifically, when the phase difference Δφ is a positive (+) value, for example, when the phase difference Δφ is equal to or greater than +φth, the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines that the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu leads the phase of the induced voltage in the U-phase coil Lu, and instructs the drive control signal generation unit 16 to perform advance control to delay the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu. For example, the phase adjustment determination unit 15 outputs a determination result S2 instructing the execution of advance control to delay the U-phase coil current Iu by the phase difference Δφ.

[0113] When the phase difference Δφ is a negative (-) value, for example, when the phase difference Δφ is equal to or less than -φth, the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines that the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu lags behind the phase of the induced voltage in the U-phase coil Lu, and instructs the drive control signal generation unit 16 to execute advance angle control to advance the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu. For example, the phase adjustment determination unit 15 outputs a determination result S2 instructing the execution of advance angle control to advance the U-phase coil current Iu by the phase difference Δφ.

[0114] Furthermore, for example, when the phase difference Δφ is greater than -φth and smaller than +φth (-φth<Δφ<+φth), the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines that the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu approximately matches the phase of the induced voltage of the U-phase coil Lu, and outputs a determination result S2 instructing that neither advance angle control nor delay angle control be performed.

[0115] The drive control signal generator 16 generates the drive control signal Sd so as to reduce the difference between the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu and the zero cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu, based on the determination result S2 of the phase adjustment determiner 15. Specifically, the PWM command unit 17 generates a value specifying the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl, based on the determination result S2 of the phase adjustment determiner 15, and outputs it as the manipulated variable S3 together with the values ​​of the PWM period and the on period of the PWM signal.

[0116] Here, the value specifying the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl is a value specifying the time shift (offset time) from the reference time for outputting the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl as the drive control signal Sd.

[0117] For example, when the phase adjustment judgment unit 15 outputs a judgment result S2 instructing the execution of advance angle control to advance the angle by the phase difference Δφ, the PWM command unit 17 calculates a value "-Δtφ" instructing the output of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl earlier than the reference time by the time Δtφ corresponding to the phase difference Δφ, and sets this as the value that specifies the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl.

[0118] Furthermore, for example, when the phase adjustment judgment unit 15 outputs a judgment result S2 instructing the execution of advance angle control to delay the angle by the phase difference Δφ, the PWM command unit 17 calculates a value "+Δtφ" instructing the output of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl later than the reference time by the time Δtφ corresponding to the phase difference Δφ, and sets this as the value that specifies the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl.

[0119] Also, for example, if the phase adjustment judgment unit 15 outputs a judgment result S2 that does not instruct the execution of either advance angle control or delay angle control, the PWM command unit 17 sets the value specifying the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl to "0 (zero)."

[0120] When outputting the drive control signal Sd, the PWM signal generating unit 18 changes the timing at which the drive control signal Sd is output based on a value that specifies the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl, which is included in the manipulated variable S3. For example, a reference time for outputting the drive control signal Sd is set in advance, and the PWM signal generating unit 18 outputs the drive control signal Sd at a timing shifted from the reference time by an amount of time specified by the value that specifies the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl.

[0121] For example, when the value specifying the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl is "+Δtφ", the PWM signal generating unit 18 outputs the drive control signal Sd generated based on the information on the PWM period and on-period contained in the operation amount S3, delayed by Δtφ from the reference time.

[0122] For example, when the value specifying the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl is "-Δtφ", the PWM signal generating unit 18 outputs the drive control signal Sd generated based on the PWM period and on-period information contained in the operation amount S3, Δtφ earlier than the reference time.

[0123] Furthermore, for example, when the value specifying the output timing of the PWM signals Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, and Swl is "0 (zero)," the PWM signal generator 18 outputs the drive control signal Sd, which is generated based on the PWM cycle and on-period information included in the manipulated variable S3, at the reference time without shifting the output timing. Not shifting the output timing means that if phase adjustment (advance angle / retard angle control) is being performed at that time, that phase adjustment is maintained.

[0124] Next, the flow of drive control of the motor 5 by the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0125] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the motor drive control process by the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0126] For example, when a DC voltage Vdd is applied to the motor drive control device 1 and the motor drive control device 1 starts up, the motor drive control device 1 first determines whether or not a drive command signal Sc has been input (step S1). If the drive command signal Sc has not been input (step S1: NO), the motor drive control device 1 waits until the drive command signal Sc is input.

[0127] If the drive command signal Sc is input (step S1: YES), the motor drive control device 1 starts drive control of the motor 5 (step S2). Specifically, the drive control signal generation unit 16 determines a PWM period and an ON period based on the target rotation speed S1 of the motor 5 analyzed by the drive command analysis unit 11, generates six types of PWM signals Suu, etc. having the determined PWM period and ON period, and inputs them as drive control signals Sd to the drive circuit 3. This causes the drive circuit 3 to switch the current flow direction of the coils Lu, Lv, and Lw of the motor 5, causing the motor 5 to rotate.

[0128] Next, the motor drive control device 1 determines a target point P of the zero cross of the U-phase coil current Iu (step S3). For example, as described above, the target point determiner 12 determines the timing 30 electrical degrees ahead of the rising edge of the position detection signal Shu as the target point P of the zero cross of the U-phase coil current Iu (see FIG. 2).

[0129] Next, the motor drive control device 1 estimates the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu (step S4).

[0130] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process (step S4) of estimating the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu in FIG.

[0131] In step S4, first, the current zero-cross point estimating unit 14 determines whether the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu for driving the U-phase high-side switch QuH is 0% (step S41).

[0132] If the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu is 0% (step S41: YES), the current direction determination unit 143 in the current zero-crossing point estimation unit 14 determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is negative (step S44). If the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu is not 0% (step S41: NO), the current zero-crossing point estimation unit 14 determines whether the drive voltage Vu for the U-phase coil Lu rises after the rising timing of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu (step S42). Specifically, in the current zero-crossing point estimation unit 14, the rising edge detection unit 141 detects the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu and the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu for the U-phase coil Lu, and the timing comparison unit 142 compares the detection timings to determine the order of the rises.

[0133] If the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu rises after the rising timing of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu (step S42: YES), the current direction determination unit 143 in the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14 determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is positive (step S43).

[0134] On the other hand, if the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu rises before the rising timing of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu (step S42: NO), the current direction determination unit 143 in the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14 determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is negative (step S44).

[0135] After step S43 or step S44, the zero-cross point detection unit 144 in the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14 determines whether the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu has switched (step S45). For example, the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14 determines whether the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in step S43 or step S44 differs from the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in the previous step S43 or step S44.

[0136] If the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu has not switched (step S45: NO), that is, if the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in step S43 or step S44 matches the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in the previous step S43 or step S44, the current zero cross point estimation unit 14 returns to step S41 and executes the processing from steps S41 to S45 again.

[0137] On the other hand, if the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu has switched (step S45: YES), that is, if the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in step S43 or step S44 does not match the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in the previous step S43 or step S44, the current zero-cross point estimator 14 estimates the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu (step S46). For example, the current zero-cross point estimator 14 estimates a point within the period (zero-cross point existence range) between the time when step S43 or step S44 was executed and the time when the immediately preceding step S43 or step S44 was executed as the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu (see FIG. 5A or 5B). This completes the process of step S4.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 7, after step S4 is completed, the motor drive control device 1 adjusts the energization timing of the motor 5 (step S5).

[0139] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process (step S5) for adjusting the energization timing of the motor 5 in FIG.

[0140] In step S5, first, the phase adjustment determination unit 15 calculates the phase difference Δφ (= phase at time tp−phase at time tq) between the zero-cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in step S3 and the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu estimated in step S4 (step S51).

[0141] Next, the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines whether the phase difference Δφ calculated in step S51 is equal to or greater than +φth (step S52). If the phase difference Δφ is equal to or greater than +φth (step S52: YES), the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines that the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu leads the phase of the induced voltage in the U-phase coil Lu, and instructs the drive control signal generation unit 16 to execute delay angle control to delay the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu (step S54). As a result, as described above, the drive control signal generation unit 16 outputs the drive control signal Sd at a timing delayed from the reference time by the time Δtφ corresponding to the phase difference Δφ.

[0142] On the other hand, if the phase difference Δφ is less than +φth in step S52 (step S52: NO), the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines whether the phase difference Δφ is less than -φth (step S53). If the phase difference Δφ is less than -φth (step S53: YES), the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines that the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu lags behind the phase of the induced voltage in the U-phase coil Lu, and instructs the drive control signal generation unit 16 to execute advance angle control to advance the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu (step S55). As a result, as described above, the drive control signal generation unit 16 outputs the drive control signal Sd at a timing earlier than the reference time by the time Δtφ corresponding to the phase difference Δφ.

[0143] On the other hand, if the phase difference Δφ is greater than −φth in step S53 (step S53: NO), the phase adjustment determination unit 15 determines that the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu is within the target range of the zero-cross target point P of the U-phase coil current Iu, and does not instruct the drive control signal generation unit 16 to adjust the phase of the U-phase coil current Iu (step S56). As a result, as described above, the drive control signal generation unit 16 outputs the drive control signal Sd at the reference time without shifting the output timing. This completes the process in step S5.

[0144] 7, after step S5 is completed, the motor drive control device 1 returns to step S2 and repeats the processes of steps S2 to S5, thereby allowing the motor 5 to continue rotating without a decrease in drive efficiency.

[0145] As described above, the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment determines the zero-crossing target point P of the coil current of a predetermined phase based on the position detection signal Shu synchronized with the induced voltage of the coil of a predetermined phase of the motor 5. It also compares the detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase with the detection timing of the rising edge of the switch signal that turns on and off the high-side switch that drives the coil of the predetermined phase, and estimates the zero-crossing point Q of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the comparison result. The motor drive control device 1 determines whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on the phase difference Δφ (= phase at time tp−phase at time tq) between the estimated zero-crossing point Q of the coil current of the predetermined phase and the zero-crossing target point P, and generates a drive control signal Sd (PWM signal) for driving the motor 5 based on the determination result S2.

[0146] As described above, it is possible to obtain a position detection signal Shu synchronized with the induced voltage of the coil of a predetermined phase by placing the position detection device 6 (Hall element) at a position corresponding to the coil of a predetermined phase of the motor 5. If the phase difference between the position detection signal Shu and the induced voltage is known, it is possible to determine the zero-cross point of the induced voltage, i.e., the target point P of the zero-cross of the coil current of the predetermined phase of the motor 5, based on the rising edge or falling edge of the position detection signal Shu.

[0147] Second Embodiment Next, a motor drive control device 1A (not shown) according to a second embodiment will be described. The motor drive control device 1A of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the motor drive control device 1 of the first embodiment except that it uses a current zero cross point estimator 14A instead of the current zero cross point estimator 14, so its description will be omitted.

[0148] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a current zero cross point estimator 14A according to the second embodiment.

[0149] In the first embodiment, the current zero-crossing point estimator 14 determines the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu based on the order of detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu and the rising edge of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu. However, in the second embodiment, the method by which the current zero-crossing point estimator 14A determines the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu differs from that of the first embodiment. The current zero-crossing point estimator 14A compares the magnitude of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu with the magnitude of the voltage of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu (an example of a switch signal), and outputs a comparison result signal if the magnitude of the voltage of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu is greater than the magnitude of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu. Furthermore, if a rising edge of the comparison result signal is detected within a certain period of time, the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu is determined to be positive (+).

[0150] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a current zero cross point estimator 14A according to the second embodiment.

[0151] 10, in the motor drive control device 1A of the second embodiment, the current zero cross point estimator 14A has a comparator 141A, a current direction determiner 143A, and a zero cross point detector 144A. The current zero cross point estimator 14A can be configured by a microcomputer or a logic circuit.

[0152] 10, the comparator 141A receives the phase voltage signal Spv and the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu acquired by the phase voltage input unit 13. The phase voltage signal Spv corresponds to the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu. The comparator 141A compares the voltage of the phase voltage signal Spv with the voltage of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu, and outputs a comparison result signal if the voltage of the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu is greater than the voltage of the phase voltage signal Spv.

[0153] The drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu corresponds to the power supply voltage Vdd2 input to the drive circuit 3, and is, for example, 12 V. The U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu corresponds to the power supply voltage Vdd1 input to the control circuit 2, and is, for example, 5 V. As such, the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu is typically set to a voltage greater than the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu. Therefore, the comparator 141A is configured to output a comparison result signal that is at a high level when the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu is greater than the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu. With this configuration, the comparator 141A can output a comparison result signal that is a pulse-shaped signal only when the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu becomes high before the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu.

[0154] The current direction determination unit 143A determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is positive when the comparator 141A detects a rising edge of the comparison result signal within a certain time, and determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is negative when the comparator 141A detects a rising edge of the comparison result signal within a certain time. Furthermore, the current direction determination unit 143A determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is negative when the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu for driving the U-phase high-side switch QuH is 0%.

[0155] Here, the polarity determination of the U-phase coil current Iu in the current direction determination unit 143A will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining polarity determination in the current zero cross point estimator 14A of the second embodiment.

[0156] 11, the waveforms of the PWM signal Suu for driving the U-phase high-side switch QuH, the drive voltage Vu for the U-phase coil Lu, the comparison result signal of the comparator 141A, the timer count, the zero-crossing point detection signal Sct, and the U-phase coil current Iu are shown in this order from top to bottom. In Fig. 11, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the current, voltage, or count value.

[0157] The current direction determination unit 143A has a timer function that counts up a count value for each cycle of the PWM signal Suu and resets the count value when a comparison result signal is output from the comparator 141A. The current direction determination unit 143A checks for each cycle of the PWM signal Suu whether the count value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and if the count value does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, determines that a rising edge of the comparison result signal has been detected within a certain time period. If the count value exceeds the predetermined threshold value, determines that a rising edge of the comparison result signal has not been detected within the certain time period.

[0158] If the current direction determination unit 143A determines that a rising edge of the comparison result signal has been detected within a certain period of time, it determines that the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu is positive (+), and if it determines that a rising edge of the comparison result signal has not been detected within the certain period of time, it determines that the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu is negative (-).

[0159] As shown in Figure 11, the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu corresponds to the count value of the timer function, so the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu can be determined by checking the count value for each cycle of the PWM signal Suu. Like the zero-crossing point detector 144 in the first embodiment, when the U-phase coil current Iu changes from positive to negative polarity or from negative to positive polarity, the zero-crossing point detector 144A estimates that a zero-crossing point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu exists during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu during that period. For example, when the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu changes, it determines that the output state of the comparison result signal has changed, and estimates that a zero-crossing point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu exists during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu during that period.

[0160] As described above, in the motor drive control device 1A of the second embodiment, the current zero cross point estimator 14A can detect the presence of the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu. When the zero cross point detector 144A of the current zero cross point estimator 14A detects the presence of the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu, it outputs information about the phase of the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu as the zero cross point detection signal Sct to the phase adjustment determiner 15. The zero cross point detection signal Sct is a pulse signal whose rising edge and falling edge indicate that it is the zero cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu, as shown in FIG. 11 , for example.

[0161] Next, the flow of drive control of the motor 5 by the motor drive control device 1A according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0162] In the motor drive control device 1A according to the second embodiment, similarly to the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment, the processes from step S1 to step S3 are executed according to the flow of the motor drive control process shown in FIG.

[0163] In the motor drive control device 1 of the first embodiment, the process (step S4) of estimating the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu in Fig. 7 is performed according to the flow of the process (step S4) shown in Fig. 8. In the motor drive control device 1A of the second embodiment, instead of the flow of the process (step S4) shown in Fig. 8, the process of step S4 in Fig. 7 is performed according to the flow of the process (step S4) shown in Fig. 12. The process of step S4 in the motor drive control device 1A of the second embodiment will be described.

[0164] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process (step S4) of estimating the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu in the second embodiment.

[0165] In step S4, first, the current zero-cross point estimating unit 14A determines whether the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu for driving the U-phase high-side switch QuH is 0% (step S411).

[0166] If the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu is 0% (step S411: YES), the current direction determination unit 143A in the current zero-crossing point estimation unit 14A determines that the U-phase coil current Iu has negative polarity (step S414). If the duty ratio of the PWM signal Suu is not 0% (step S411: NO), the current zero-crossing point estimation unit 14A determines whether a rising edge of the comparison result signal has been detected within a certain time period (step S412). Specifically, in the current zero-crossing point estimation unit 14A, the comparator 141A compares the phase voltage signal Spv corresponding to the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu with the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu, and outputs the comparison result signal if the U-phase high-side PWM signal Suu is larger. Therefore, the current direction determination unit 143A determines whether a rising edge of the comparison result signal has been detected within a certain time period.

[0167] If a rising edge of the comparison result signal is detected within the certain time period (step S412: YES), the current direction determination unit 143A in the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14A determines that the U-phase coil current Iu has positive polarity (step S413).

[0168] On the other hand, if a rising edge of the comparison result signal is not detected within a certain period of time (step S412: NO), the current direction determination unit 143A in the current zero cross point estimation unit 14A determines that the U-phase coil current Iu is negative (step S414).

[0169] After step S413 or step S414, the zero-cross point detection unit 144A in the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14A determines whether the output state of the comparison result signal has changed (step S415). For example, in the current zero-cross point estimation unit 14A, the zero-cross point detection unit 144A determines that the output state of the comparison result signal has changed if the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in step S413 or step S414 differs from the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in the previous step S413 or step S414.

[0170] If the output state of the comparison result signal has not changed (step S415: NO), that is, if the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in step S413 or step S414 matches the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in the previous step S413 or step S414, the current zero cross point estimation unit 14A returns to step S411 and executes the processing from steps S411 to S415 again.

[0171] On the other hand, if the output state of the comparison result signal has changed (step S415: YES), that is, if the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in step S413 or step S414 does not match the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu determined in the previous step S413 or step S414, the current zero-cross point estimator 14A estimates the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu (step S416). For example, the current zero-cross point estimator 14A estimates a point within the period between the time when step S413 or step S414 was executed and the time when the immediately preceding step S413 or step S414 was executed (zero-cross point existence range) as the zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu. This ends the processing of step S4.

[0172] 7, after step S4 is completed, step S5 shown in FIG. 9 is executed in the same manner as the motor drive control device 1 of the first embodiment, and then the motor drive control device 1A returns to step S2 and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S2 to S5, thereby allowing the motor 5 to continue rotating without a decrease in drive efficiency. As described above, the motor drive control device 1A according to the second embodiment determines the zero-crossing target point P of the coil current of a predetermined phase based on the position detection signal Shu synchronized with the induced voltage of the coil of a predetermined phase of the motor 5, compares the magnitude of the drive voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase with the magnitude of the switch signal that turns on and off the high-side switch that drives the coil of the predetermined phase, and estimates the zero-crossing point Q of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the comparison result. As with the motor drive control device 1 according to the first embodiment, the motor drive control device 1A determines whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on the phase difference Δφ between the estimated zero-crossing point Q of the coil current of the predetermined phase and the zero-crossing target point P, and generates a drive control signal Sd (PWM signal) for driving the motor 5 based on the determination result S2.

[0173] As described above, the motor drive control devices 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments determine the zero-crossing target point P of the coil current of a predetermined phase based on the position detection signal Shu synchronized with the induced voltage of the coil of a predetermined phase of the motor 5, and estimate the zero-crossing point Q of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the interchange of the timing (first timing) at which the drive voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase goes high and the timing (second timing) at which the switch signal that turns on and off the high-side switch that drives the coil of the predetermined phase goes high. The motor drive control devices 1 and 1A determine whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on the phase difference Δφ between the estimated zero-crossing point Q of the coil current of the predetermined phase and the zero-crossing target point P, and generate a drive control signal Sd (PWM signal) for driving the motor 5 based on the determination result S2.

[0174] As described above, it is possible to obtain a position detection signal Shu synchronized with the induced voltage of the coil of a predetermined phase by placing the position detection device 6 (Hall element) at a position corresponding to the coil of a predetermined phase of the motor 5. If the phase difference between the position detection signal Shu and the induced voltage is known, it is possible to determine the zero-cross point of the induced voltage, i.e., the target point P of the zero-cross of the coil current of the predetermined phase of the motor 5, based on the rising edge or falling edge of the position detection signal Shu.

[0175] Furthermore, as described above, during a period in which the coil current of a specified phase (e.g., the U phase) of the motor 5 is positive (+), the timing at which the drive voltage Vu of the U phase coil Lu goes high occurs after the timing at which the PWM signal Suu that switches the U phase high-side switch QuH on and off goes high, and during a period in which the coil current is negative (-), the timing at which the drive voltage Vu of the U phase coil Lu goes high occurs before the timing at which the PWM signal Suu that switches the U phase high-side switch QuH on and off goes high. Therefore, by comparing the timing at which the drive voltage Vu of the U phase coil Lu goes high with the timing at which the PWM signal Suu that switches the U phase high-side switch QuH on and off goes high, it is possible to detect the zero-crossing point Q at which the coil current switches from positive to negative polarity or the zero-crossing point Q at which the coil current switches from negative to positive polarity.

[0176] Specifically, the motor drive control device 1 of the first embodiment detects the rising edge of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu and the rising edge of the PWM signal Suu that switches the U-phase high-side switch QuH on and off, and compares the detected detection timings to determine the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu.When the U-phase coil current Iu changes from positive to negative, or from negative to positive, it estimates that a zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu exists during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu. This makes it possible to easily estimate the zero cross point Q of the coil current of the motor 5 without directly monitoring the coil current.

[0177] The motor drive control device 1 can reduce the phase difference between the phase of the induced voltage of the coil of a specified phase of the motor 5 and the phase of the coil current by performing phase adjustment according to the phase difference Δφ between the target point P of the zero cross of the coil current of the specified phase and the zero cross point Q of the coil current of the specified phase.

[0178] Furthermore, the motor drive control device 1A of the second embodiment determines the polarity of the U-phase coil current Iu by comparing the magnitude of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu with the magnitude of the voltage of the PWM signal Suu that switches the U-phase high-side switch QuH on and off, and estimates that when the U-phase coil current Iu changes from positive to negative, or from negative to positive, there is a zero-cross point Q of the U-phase coil current Iu during the off period of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu.

[0179] This makes it possible to easily estimate the zero cross point Q of the coil current of the motor 5 without directly monitoring the coil current.

[0180] The motor drive control device 1A can reduce the phase difference between the phase of the induced voltage of the coil of a specified phase of the motor 5 and the phase of the coil current by performing phase adjustment according to the phase difference Δφ between the target point P of the zero cross of the coil current of the specified phase and the zero cross point Q of the coil current of the specified phase.

[0181] As described above, according to the motor drive control devices 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments, the drive efficiency of the motor 5 can be improved.

[0182] In addition, the motor drive control device 1, 1A calculates the phase difference Δφ (= phase at time tp - phase at time tq) between the zero-cross target point P of the coil current of a specified phase and the zero-cross point Q of the coil current, and shifts the output timing of the drive control signal Sd by a time Δtφ (= tp - tq) corresponding to the phase difference Δφ.

[0183] This adjusts the phase of the coil current (coil drive voltage) by an amount corresponding to the phase difference Δφ between the target point P of the zero-cross of the coil current of a predetermined phase and the zero-cross point Q of the coil current, i.e., the amount of deviation between the phase of the induced voltage and the phase of the coil current, thereby making it possible to more reliably bring the phase of the coil current closer to the phase of the induced voltage. In other words, it is possible to further improve the drive efficiency of the motor 5 compared to the prior art technique of detecting the zero-cross point of the coil current by providing a period (detection period) during which the drive of the coil is stopped, as in Patent Document 1 mentioned above.

[0184] <<Extension of Embodiment>> The invention made by the present inventors has been specifically described above based on an embodiment, but it goes without saying that the invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0185] For example, in the above embodiment, the position detector 6 is arranged for the U-phase coil of the three phases (U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase) of the motor 5, and detects the zero-cross point Q of the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu and the U-phase coil current Iu. However, this is not limiting. The position detector 6 may be arranged for the V-phase coil Lv to detect the zero-cross point Q of the drive voltage Vv of the V-phase coil Lv and the V-phase coil current Iv to perform phase adjustment of the V-phase coil current Iv. Alternatively, the position detector 6 may be arranged for the W-phase coil Lw to detect the zero-cross point Q of the drive voltage Vw of the W-phase coil Lw and the W-phase coil current Iw to perform phase adjustment of the W-phase coil current Iw. Furthermore, the position detector 6 may be arranged for two or all of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase, detect the zero-cross point Q of the drive voltage and coil current of any phase, and perform phase adjustment of the coil current of the detected phase.

[0186] In the above-described embodiment, the current zero-crossing point estimator 14, 14A detects both the timing at which the first timing at which the drive voltage Vu of the U-phase coil Lu becomes high and the second timing at which the PWM signal Suu that switches the U-phase high-side switch QuH on and off becomes high, changing from a coincident state to a non-coincident state (zero-crossing point Q at which the U-phase coil current Iu changes from positive to negative), and the timing at which the first timing and the second timing change from a non-coincident state to a coincident state (zero-crossing point Q at which the U-phase coil current Iu changes from negative to positive). However, the current zero-crossing point estimator 14, 14A may detect only the zero-crossing point Q at which the U-phase coil current Iu changes from negative to positive.

[0187] In the above embodiment, the type of motor 5 is not limited to a brushless DC motor. Furthermore, the motor 5 is not limited to a three-phase motor, and may be, for example, a single-phase brushless DC motor.

[0188] In the above embodiment, a Hall element is used as the position detection device 6, but this is not limiting. For example, a Hall IC, an encoder, a resolver, or the like may be provided as the position detection device 6, and the detection signals thereof may be input to the motor drive control device 1, 1A as the position detection signal Shu.

[0189] Furthermore, the above-described flowcharts are merely examples and are not limited to these. For example, other processes may be inserted between each step, or the processes may be parallelized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] 1,1A...motor drive control device, 2...control circuit, 3...drive circuit, 4...phase voltage detection circuit, 5...motor, 6...position detection device, 11...drive command analysis unit, 12...target point determination unit, 13...phase voltage input unit, 14,14A...current zero cross point estimation unit, 15...phase adjustment determination unit, 16...drive control signal generation unit, 17...PWM command unit, 18...PWM signal generation unit, 100...motor unit, 200...waveform of position detection signal Shu, 201...waveform of drive voltage Vu of U-phase coil Lu, 202...waveform of induced voltage of U-phase coil Lu, 203...waveform of U-phase coil current Iu, 141...rising edge detection unit, 141A...comparator, 142...timing comparison unit, 143,143A...current direction determination unit, 144,144A...zero cross Point detection unit, Lu, Lv, Lw... coil, Iu... U-phase coil current, S1... target rotation speed, S2... judgment result, S3... manipulated variable, Sc... drive command signal, Sct... zero-cross point detection signal, Shu... position detection signal, St... target point determination signal, Sd... drive control signal, Suu, Sul, Svu, Svl, Swu, Swl... PWM signal (an example of a switch signal), QuH, QvH, QwH... high-side switch, QuL, QvL, QwL... low-side switch, Δφ, +φth, -φth... phase difference, Vu... drive voltage of coil Lu, Vv... drive voltage of coil Lv, Vw... drive voltage of coil Lw, Vdd... DC voltage, Vdd1, Vdd2... power supply voltage, P... target point of zero cross of coil current, Q... zero-cross point of coil current.

Claims

1. a control circuit that generates a drive control signal, which is a PWM signal for driving a motor having at least one phase coil; a drive circuit including a high-side switch and a low-side switch connected in series to each other and provided corresponding to a coil of each phase of the motor, and which alternately turns on and off the high-side switch and the low-side switch in response to the drive control signal to switch the current flow direction of the coil of the corresponding phase; The control circuit a target point determination unit that determines a zero-cross target point of a coil current of a predetermined phase of the motor based on a position detection signal that is synchronized with an induced voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase of the motor and corresponds to a rotational position of a rotor of the motor; a current zero-cross point estimator that estimates a zero-cross point of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the fact that the order of the timing at which the drive voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase becomes high level and the timing at which the switch signal that turns on and off the high-side switch corresponding to the predetermined phase becomes high level is reversed for each cycle of the PWM signal; a phase adjustment determination unit that determines whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on a phase difference between the target point determined by the target point determination unit and the zero cross point estimated by the current zero cross point estimation unit; a drive control signal generation unit that generates the drive control signal based on a determination result by the phase adjustment determination unit, The current zero cross point estimation unit a comparator for determining the order by comparing the magnitude of the drive voltage with the magnitude of the voltage of the switch signal; Motor drive control device.

2. 2. The motor drive control device according to claim 1, The current zero cross point estimation unit a rising edge detection unit that detects a rising edge of the drive voltage and a rising edge of the switch signal; a timing comparison unit that determines the order by comparing the detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage detected by the rising edge detection unit with the detection timing of the rising edge of the switch signal, Motor drive control device.

3. 3. The motor drive control device according to claim 2, The current zero cross point estimation unit a current direction determination unit that determines that the coil current of the predetermined phase is positive when the detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage is after the detection timing of the rising edge of the switch signal, and that the coil current of the predetermined phase is negative when the detection timing of the rising edge of the drive voltage is before the detection timing of the rising edge of the switch signal; Motor drive control device.

4. 4. The motor drive control device according to claim 3, The current zero cross point estimation unit The inverter further includes a zero-cross point detection unit that estimates that the zero-cross point exists during an OFF period of the drive voltage when the coil current of the predetermined phase changes from positive to negative polarity or from negative to positive polarity. Motor drive control device.

5. 2. The motor drive control device according to claim 1, the comparator outputs a pulse when the voltage of the switch signal is greater than the drive voltage; The current zero cross point estimation unit a current direction determination unit that determines that the coil current of the predetermined phase is positive polarity when the pulse output is detected within a certain time period, and that the coil current of the predetermined phase is negative polarity when the pulse output is not detected within the certain time period; Motor drive control device.

6. 6. The motor drive control device according to claim 5, The current zero cross point estimation unit The inverter further includes a zero-cross point detection unit that estimates that the zero-cross point exists during an OFF period of the drive voltage when the coil current of the predetermined phase changes from positive to negative polarity or from negative to positive polarity. Motor drive control device.

7. 2. The motor drive control device according to claim 1, The phase adjustment determination unit calculates the phase difference between the target point and the zero cross point, and instructs the drive control signal generation unit to shift the output timing of the drive control signal by a time corresponding to the phase difference. Motor drive control device.

8. The motor drive control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; the motor; Motor unit.

9. A motor drive control method using a motor drive control device including: a control circuit that generates a drive control signal, which is a PWM signal for driving a motor having a coil of at least one phase; and a drive circuit that includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch that are connected in series and provided corresponding to the coil of each phase of the motor, and that alternately turns on and off the high-side switch and the low-side switch in response to the drive control signal to switch the direction of current flow through the coil of the corresponding phase, a first step in which the control circuit determines a target point of zero crossing of a coil current of a predetermined phase of the motor based on a position detection signal that is synchronized with an induced voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase of the motor and corresponds to a rotational position of a rotor of the motor; a second step in which the control circuit estimates a zero-cross point of the coil current of the predetermined phase based on the fact that the order of the timing at which the drive voltage of the coil of the predetermined phase becomes high level and the timing at which the switch signal for turning on and off the high-side switch corresponding to the predetermined phase becomes high level is reversed for each cycle of the PWM signal; a third step in which the control circuit determines whether or not phase adjustment of the coil current is necessary based on a phase difference between the target point determined in the first step and the zero-cross point estimated in the second step; a fourth step in which the control circuit generates the drive control signal based on the determination result in the third step; In the second step, determining the order by comparing the magnitude of the drive voltage with the magnitude of the voltage of the switch signal; Motor drive control method.

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