Single Microcomputer Motor Control Device with System Power Supply IC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional control devices with two CPUs experience significant time lag in stopping a motor when an abnormal condition occurs and have increased manufacturing costs due to a two-CPU configuration.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a single microcomputer, utilizing a system power supply IC to monitor for abnormal conditions and output reset and switch opening signals to immediately stop the motor, regardless of feedback, and integrating the first and second processing units on one semiconductor chip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a two-CPU configuration (main microcomputer and sub microcomputer) is used to monitor and detect abnormal conditions, then the reliability of detecting abnormal conditions is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormal condition detection reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring function is extracted from a separate sub-microcomputer and integrated into the system power supply IC. This allows the monitoring capability to be retained while eliminating the need for a second microcomputer, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining abnormal condition detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system power supply IC is given multiple functions: it not only supplies power to the microcomputer but also monitors for abnormal conditions and controls the motor stopping process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated monitoring microcomputer, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a two-CPU configuration is used with sub microcomputer monitoring the main microcomputer, then the reliability of stopping the motor during abnormal conditions is improved, but the time lag before motor stopping increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor stopping reliabilityVSAvoidtime lag before motor stopping

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system power supply IC maintains a ready-to-trigger stopping command throughout operation. When an abnormal condition is detected, this pre-positioned command is immediately activated, eliminating the time lag associated with processing sequences and ensuring rapid motor stopping while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system power supply IC acts as an intermediary that directly controls the motor stopping process without requiring communication or coordination with the microcomputer. This direct control path eliminates time lag while ensuring reliable motor stopping during abnormal conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a two-CPU configuration is used, then the ability to monitor and respond to abnormal conditions is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase due to increased substrate size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormal condition monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring function and power supply function are merged into a single system power supply IC. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and substrate area required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the abnormal condition monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system power supply IC performs multiple functions including power supply, abnormal condition monitoring, and motor stopping control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate monitoring microcomputer, reducing substrate size and manufacturing costs while preserving monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10606252B2Control device including one microcomputer for controlling a motor vehicle which may immediately stop rotations of the motor when an abnormal condition occurs

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A control system includes a system power supply IC that operates based on a voltage outputted from a power supply circuit and supplies a voltage for operating a microcomputer to the microcomputer, monitors an abnormal condition of the microcomputer, and outputs a reset signal for resetting the microcomputer to the microcomputer when detecting an abnormal condition of the microcomputer. When detecting the abnormal condition of the microcomputer, the system power supply IC outputs a switch opening signal for forcibly turning off a switch, which, in response to the switch opening signal, stops supplying the voltage outputted from the power supply circuit to the motor driving circuit.