Motor Controller Variable HF Injection for Low Acoustic Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high frequency injection techniques for brushless DC electric motors generate harsh acoustic noise, which is undesirable and needs to be reduced.

Innovation Solution

A motor controller employing a digital-based fixed-point random signal generation scheme with variable high frequency injection, utilizing direct voltage control and orthogonal coordinate system alignment to reduce acoustic noise, combined with random selection of injection signals to minimize noise generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high frequency signal injection is used to improve sensorless control accuracy and eliminate rotor position ambiguity, then control precision is improved, but electromagnetic noise increases causing motor resonance and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensorless control accuracyVSAvoidelectromagnetic noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A low-pass filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the inverter and motor to attenuate high-frequency electromagnetic noise while allowing the control signal to pass through. The filter acts as a mediator that separates the useful control function from the harmful noise, enabling high-frequency signal injection for sensorless control while reducing electromagnetic interference and motor resonance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional low-pass filtering is applied to reduce electromagnetic noise, then noise is reduced, but phase shift between voltage and current occurs degrading control accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic noiseVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controller measures the actual voltage and current signals after filtering, detects the phase shift introduced by the low-pass filter, and applies phase compensation through feedback control. This feedback mechanism continuously adjusts the control signals to counteract the phase lag, maintaining accurate sensorless control despite the presence of the filter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts filtering parameters and compensation parameters based on operating conditions. By changing the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter and adjusting phase compensation parameters according to motor speed and load conditions, the system optimizes the balance between noise reduction and control accuracy across different operating ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces acoustic noise generated by electric motors, particularly in confined spaces with multiple motors, by using a digital-based fixed-point random signal generation scheme and direct voltage control, enhancing motor control efficiency and reducing harsh noise levels.

Implementation Method 1

a high frequency voltage signal is superimposed on the voltage commanded to the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh frequency signal injection:

Implementation Method 2

a current sensor measures phase currents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4555620B1Motor controller having low noise high frequency signal injection
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLC
  • EP4555620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4555620B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4555620B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3A

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for motor control having low noise variable-high frequency signal injection for an electric motor. Different injection signals have different signal characteristics. One of the first and second injection signals is selected on a cycle-by-cycle basis as part of a direct voltage signal input to control an electric motor. The first and second signal characteristics are configured to reduce acoustic noise generated by an electric motor.