BLDC Motor Control Circuit for High-Speed Phase Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor control systems for brushless DC motors experience efficiency loss at high speeds due to phase deviation of the drive current from the rotor's actual position, leading to insufficient torque transfer and non-proportional rotational speed increase despite increased current.

Innovation Solution

A motor control circuit and method that includes a current-zero point detector, phase adjuster, and soft-switching controller to synchronize the phase of the drive current with the rotor position, using Hall signals and PWM signals to adjust the lead angle and timing of the drive voltage, thereby maintaining efficient torque transfer at high speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the motor operates at high speed with increased current, then the rotational speed increases, but the efficiency decreases due to phase deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational speedVSAvoidefficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects the actual current zero-crossing point and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the drive voltage phase timing. The current-zero point detector monitors the coil current and provides real-time information about the actual phase, allowing the control system to correct phase deviation and maintain optimal alignment between drive voltage and rotor position at high speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the phase timing parameter of the drive voltage based on detected current zero-crossing points. By adjusting the phase timing parameter in response to operating conditions, the system maintains optimal phase alignment between drive voltage and rotor position, preventing efficiency loss at high speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the drive current is increased to achieve higher rotational speed, then the speed increases, but the torque transfer becomes insufficient due to phase deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational speedVSAvoidtorque transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the current zero-crossing point and uses this information to advance or adjust the drive voltage phase timing before the actual commutation event. This preliminary action ensures that the drive voltage is applied at the optimal phase angle, maximizing torque transfer efficiency even at high rotational speeds where phase deviation would normally occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the phase of drive voltage is not adjusted, then the control system is simple, but the drive current phase deviates from rotor position at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidphase alignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the motor's own current characteristics to automatically determine and correct phase alignment. The current-zero point detector utilizes the natural zero-crossing points of the coil current as a self-referenced signal, eliminating the need for external position sensors or complex lookup tables. This self-service approach maintains high phase alignment accuracy while keeping the control system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables high-speed operation with sufficient torque and efficiency by aligning the drive current phase with the rotor position, ensuring proportional speed increase and reducing energy loss.

Implementation Method 1

a rotation position of the rotor is detected based on an output signal of a Hall element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

by calculating a back electromotive force (BEMF) that is generated through a stator coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBack electromotive force (BEMF): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4489289B1Motor control circuit, motor control integrated circuit, and method for controllably driving motor
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4489289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4489289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4489289B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

A motor control circuit includes a phase adjuster configured to adjust a phase of a targeted position detecting signal that is present after a subsequent cycle of a reference position detecting signal based on (i) a timing at which a drive current detected by a current-zero point detector becomes zero and (ii) the reference position detecting signal; and a drive controller configured to control a timing at which a drive voltage varies such that the timing of the drive voltage varying matches a timing at which a phase of a targeted position detecting signal changes, and to output the drive voltage.