Bridge Circuit Control Unit High Resolution Drive Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control circuits for driving loads using bridge circuits face limitations in resolution and frequency, particularly when increasing the resolution of digital signals, which affects the duration of pulses in the output voltage, and introduces unwanted frequency reductions below the audible band.

Innovation Solution

A control unit with a signal generator that adjusts the switch-on duration of periodic drive signals based on a first digital data value with a specific resolution, incorporating additional bits to modify threshold values and counter behaviors, allowing for increased resolution while maintaining frequency above the audible band by averaging digital data values over multiple periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the resolution of digital data value is increased to improve pulse duration control precision, then the frequency of output signals is reduced below the audible band

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse duration control precisionVSAvoidoutput signal frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using multiple periods of drive signals to achieve the desired resolution. Instead of relying on a single high-resolution digital value that would require a long period and thus low frequency, the system uses several shorter periods to collectively achieve the same level of precision. This allows maintaining a higher output signal frequency while still obtaining fine pulse duration control through the accumulation of multiple periodic cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If the switch-on duration is extended to improve resolution, then the frequency of drive signals is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution of drive signalsVSAvoidfrequency of drive signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resolution achievement into multiple periods rather than requiring a single extended switch-on duration. By dividing the total resolution requirement across several shorter periods, each period can maintain a higher frequency while the cumulative effect over multiple periods achieves the desired resolution. This segmentation allows the system to avoid extending any single switch-on duration too long, thereby preventing frequency reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If additional bits are added to digital data value to increase resolution, then the period of drive signals must be extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution of digital data valueVSAvoidperiod of drive signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action to achieve high resolution without extending the period of individual drive signals. By repeating the drive signal multiple times and accumulating the resolution information across these periods, the system can achieve fine control precision while keeping each individual period relatively short. This approach avoids the direct proportionality between resolution and period duration that would otherwise be required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9780770B2Control unit for a bridge circuit, and related method and integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2017.10.03 STMICROELECTRONICS SRL
  • US9780770B2 patent drawing
  • US9780770B2 patent drawing
  • US9780770B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control unit is for a bridge circuit. The control unit may include a signal generator configured to generate first and second periodic drive signals for the bridge circuit, and determine a switch-on duration of the first and second periodic drive signals based upon a first digital data value having a first resolution. The control unit may include a controller configured to receive a second digital data value having a second resolution. The second resolution may be greater than the first resolution. The controller may be configured to generate the first digital data value so that, over periods of the first and second periodic drive signals, the first digital data value corresponds to an average of the second digital data value.