Stepper Motor Control Circuit Adaptive Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling electric stepping motors face challenges in optimizing speed profiles during acceleration and deceleration phases, particularly in high-speed ranges where torque is reduced, leading to inefficient acceleration and prolonged times to reach target positions.

Innovation Solution

An integrated circuit arrangement that calculates and adjusts the rising and falling ramps of motor speed during acceleration and deceleration phases without requiring sensors, allowing for programmable speed and acceleration limits to optimize speed profiles and quickly pass through resonance ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the motor is operated at high speed to reduce cycle time, then productivity is improved, but the available torque decreases leading to insufficient acceleration capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle timeVSAvoidavailable torque
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the acceleration profile adaptive rather than fixed. The control system dynamically adjusts the acceleration rate based on real-time feedback from sensors (encoders, resolvers, or Hall sensors) that monitor motor position, speed, and current torque output. This allows the system to operate at high speeds when torque demand is low while automatically reducing acceleration rates when high torque is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and acceleration capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring motor performance parameters (position, speed, current) and using this information to adjust the acceleration profile. The control system compares actual motor output with desired performance and modifies the acceleration rate accordingly, enabling the motor to maintain optimal performance across the entire speed range while maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If complex speed profile optimization is implemented to meet all torque and timing requirements, then acceleration performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration performanceVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the control system to automatically generate and adjust speed profiles without requiring complex external programming or manual intervention. The system uses built-in sensors and control algorithms to self-regulate the acceleration profile based on actual motor performance, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining optimal acceleration performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting key motor control parameters (acceleration rate, current limits, switching frequencies) based on operating conditions. Rather than requiring a complex fixed speed profile, the system modifies these parameters in real-time to optimize acceleration performance, reducing the need for complex circuitry while achieving superior control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If acceleration is reduced in high speed range to match available torque, then torque availability is improved, but time to reach target position increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque availabilityVSAvoidtime to target position
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through dynamic acceleration profiling that continuously adapts to the motor's instantaneous torque capabilities. Rather than using a fixed reduced acceleration rate for the entire high-speed range, the system dynamically adjusts acceleration based on real-time torque availability, allowing the motor to maintain higher speeds when torque is sufficient while automatically reducing acceleration only when torque becomes limiting, thus minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback control to monitor actual torque output and adjust the acceleration profile accordingly. When torque availability is sufficient, the system maintains higher acceleration rates to minimize time to target. When torque becomes limiting, the feedback mechanism detects this and automatically reduces acceleration, preventing torque deficiency while minimizing the time penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2761738B1Method and circuit arrangement for controlling stepper motors
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 TRINAMIC MOTION CONTROL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2761738B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2761738B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2761738B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and circuit arrangement for controlling and operating stepper motors with two or more phases, in particular during an acceleration phase (A) and/or a braking phase (D) of the rotational movement of the motor, wherein at least one of said two phases is divided into at least two time periods (ta1, ta2; td1, td2) during which the motor is accelerated with different yet constant accelerations (a1, a2; d1, d2) or decelerated with constant decelerations. The level of the accelerations and/or decelerations and is adapted to the torque of the motor available in the relevant speed range.