CAN Motor Controller Integration to Cut ECU and Harness Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor control solutions in automotive and industrial environments require multiple ECUs and extensive wire harnesses due to limitations in communication protocols like LIN and CAN, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A motor control device with a motor driver electronic circuit and a control electronic circuit that uses a CAN type transceiver for direct communication with a main ECU via a commander and responder protocol, reducing the need for additional ECUs and wire harnesses by integrating H-bridge circuits, Hall sensors, and control logic elements for motor control and position sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate dedicated ECUs are used to control each motor with LIN or CAN bus communication, then motor control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and wire harness requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple motor control functions into a single integrated motor control device that includes both control logic and H-bridge circuits. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate dedicated ECUs for each motor, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable motor control functionality through integrated PWM generation and motor driver circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor control device is designed with universal functionality to control multiple motors simultaneously through a single unit. The integrated controller can manage both X-direction and Z-direction motors using shared resources including the CAN bus interface, PWM generators, and H-bridge circuits, eliminating the need for feature-specific dedicated ECUs.
2Loss of information
If LIN bus protocol is used for communication between main ECU and dedicated ECU, then motor control data transmission is achieved, but communication speed is limited to around 20 kBaud
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication protocol parameter from LIN bus to CAN bus, which increases the communication speed from around 20 kBaud to around 1 MBaud. This parameter change enables faster transmission of motor control data while maintaining reliable communication between the main ECU and the integrated motor control device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional wire harness and dedicated ECU are required for optional car features, then motor control capability is added, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated motor control device provides universal functionality that can support multiple motor control applications including steering column position control and light level control. By designing a single versatile controller that can handle various optional features, the system eliminates the need for additional dedicated ECUs and wire harnesses for each optional feature, reducing manufacturing cost and installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple optional feature control capabilities into a single motor control device that can manage different motors and functions through integrated control logic. This consolidation means that adding optional features does not require additional ECUs or extensive wire harness modifications, making the system more cost-effective and easier to manufacture.
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
This solution enables efficient, cost-effective motor control with reduced ECU count and wire harnesses, supporting synchronous motor control and improving reaction times while embedding necessary software and logic within the device, thus simplifying network architecture and reducing space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the motor position sensor comprises at least one Hall sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a motor control device comprising: a motor driver electronic circuit configured to be electrically coupled to at least one motor and to drive the at least one motor; a control electronic circuit electrically coupled to the motor driver electronic circuit, and configured to control the motor driver electronic circuit and to be electrically coupled to a motor position sensor; wherein the control electronic circuit further comprises a CAN type transceiver configured to directly communicate with at least one main ECU, which is external to the motor control device, using a commander and responder CAN type communication protocol, the control electronic circuit being configured to act as a responder node during a communication with the main ECU.