Electric Fader Drive Control for Quiet and Accurate Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric fader drive units generate noise when driving electric faders, particularly due to sudden changes in drive power, which can disrupt quiet environments like studios.
Innovation Solution
The electric fader drive unit employs a mode-switching mechanism between high speed and silent movement modes, using precharge and postcharge drive signals to gradually apply tension and reduce noise, with the CPU controlling drive power based on distance to the target position to balance speed and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high drive power is applied to the electric fader, then the fader can overcome individual differences and aging effects, but the belt experiences sudden tension changes that generate noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by applying precharge signals before the main drive signal to gradually tension the belt. This preliminary tensioning prevents sudden belt state changes when the main drive power is applied, thereby eliminating noise while maintaining reliable fader operation throughout the travel range
2Object-generated harmful factors
If low drive power is used to reduce noise, then the belt tension changes smoothly, but the fader may not have sufficient power to reach the target position due to individual differences and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary drive power through precharge signals to gradually tension the belt before the main drive phase. This preliminary action prepares the belt for subsequent high-power operation without causing noise, ensuring both smooth initial movement and sufficient power for complete fader travel
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts drive power in multiple phases: precharge phase with low power for smooth belt tensioning, main drive phase with high power for reliable fader movement, and approach phase with reduced power for precise stopping. This dynamic power adjustment ensures both noise reduction and operational reliability
3Productivity
If the electric fader is driven with high speed to improve efficiency, then productivity increases, but the fader cannot stop smoothly and accurately at the target position
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by dividing the drive cycle into distinct phases: precharge phase, main drive phase, and approach phase. Each phase has specific power characteristics and duration, allowing the fader to move quickly during the main phase while ensuring smooth deceleration and accurate stopping during the approach phase
4Reliability
If the electric fader is driven with high drive power to reach the target position reliably, then positioning is achieved, but the fader may overshoot the target position
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action with distinct drive phases, including an approach phase where drive power is reduced as the fader nears the target position. This phased approach ensures the fader reaches the target reliably while preventing overshoot through progressive power reduction in the final approach stage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An electric fader drive unit includes a drive portion, a fader position control portion, and an electric fader control portion. The drive portion drives an electric fader by supplying drive power to the electric fader. The fader position control portion indicates a target position of the electric fader. The electric fader control portion receives an indication of the target position from the fader position control portion, and, when controlling the drive portion to move the electric fader to the target position, moves the electric fader to the target position by changing the drive power maintained at preparation drive power less than the minimum drive power that is the lowest drive power required for moving the electric fader to a predetermined drive power not less than the minimum drive power.