Single Phase Motor Drive Circuit Dynamic Waveform Configuration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Single-phase brushless DC motor drivers face challenges in achieving linear speed control and reducing torque ripple and noise, particularly in applications requiring complex speed curves, due to their inherent design limitations and cost constraints.

Innovation Solution

A single-phase motor drive circuit that dynamically configures waveform parameters such as soft switching, lead angle, and off-time based on input signals, allowing for multi-segment speed curves that approximate linear target curves, while reducing noise and torque variation, and is implemented in a compact pin-count package without requiring a programmable processor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single-phase brushless DC motor drivers use fixed waveform parameters, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but speed control linearity and torque ripple performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor driver circuit complexityVSAvoidspeed control linearity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic configuration of waveform parameters (soft switching, lead angle, off-time) based on input signal levels. The motor driver transitions from fixed parameters to dynamically adjustable parameters, dividing the operating range into multiple segments with optimized parameters for each segment, thereby achieving linear speed control without requiring complex programmable processors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the drive waveform (duration, timing, amplitude) based on operating conditions. By adjusting soft switching duration, lead angle, and off-time parameters across different input signal ranges, the system optimizes torque output and speed linearity while maintaining cost-effective implementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If single-phase motor drivers use dynamic waveform configuration, then speed control linearity and torque performance are improved, but device complexity and silicon area increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed control linearityVSAvoidmotor driver circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the speed control range into multiple segments, each with optimized waveform parameters. This segmentation allows complex control characteristics to be achieved through simpler, dedicated control logic for each segment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motor driver automatically selects and applies appropriate waveform parameters based on the input signal level without requiring external intervention or complex processing. The system self-configures its operation mode, eliminating the need for programmable processors while achieving adaptive optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If single-phase motor drivers minimize component count, then cost is reduced for high-volume markets, but capability to handle complex speed curves is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidspeed curve configuration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal motor driver platform that can handle multiple speed curve requirements through dynamic parameter configuration. A single device design serves multiple applications by adapting waveform parameters, eliminating the need for different hardware variants while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor driver transitions from static, application-specific designs to a dynamic, adaptive platform. By continuously adjusting waveform parameters based on operating conditions, the system achieves complex speed curve performance without requiring additional components or programmable logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If single-phase motor drivers use fixed soft switching settings, then device complexity is minimized, but noise and torque variation across different speeds cannot be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveform control complexityVSAvoidtorque ripple and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes soft switching parameters (duration, timing) based on input signal levels and operating speed. This allows optimization of torque ripple and noise at different operating points without requiring complex processing, achieving quiet operation across the full speed range

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 enables single-phase motor drivers to produce fan speed curves that fall within specified boundaries, optimizing noise and torque performance across varying motor speeds, and is cost-effective for high-volume markets by minimizing component count and silicon area.

Implementation Method 1

Brushless DC motors have the advantage that no brushes are needed, but they require a specific driving scheme, called 'electrical commutation' to change the direction of the current through the coil(s)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The coil current is defined by the applied supply voltage VDD, minus the back EMF voltage (bemf) induced into the stator coil by the moving rotor magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBack EMF: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

A first difference is that the torque of a single-phase or two-phase motor varies quite differently from that of a three phase motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3059852B1A single phase motor drive circuit and a method of driving a single phase motor
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 MELEXIS TECH NV
  • EP3059852B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2
  • EP3059852B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3059852B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A single phase motor drive circuit (600) for driving a single phase motor (690), comprising: a timer unit (701) for receiving a sensor signal indicative of an angular position of a rotor, and for providing a timing signal in phase with the sensor signal; a waveform generator (602) for generating a waveform for energizing the motor, the waveform generator being adapted for receiving the timing signal and a configurable setting, and for generating the waveform based thereon; a configuration unit (603) for receiving an input signal (691) indicative of a desired motor speed, the configuration unit being adapted for generating the configurable setting as a function of the input signal, and for providing the setting to the waveform generator to dynamically configure the waveform generator. A assembly and a cooling system comprising the single phase motor driver circuit (600). A method of driving a single phase motor (690).