Unified Motor Control Device for Stepping and DC Motors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Game machines face challenges in efficiently controlling both stepping motors and DC motors due to differences in control methods and space constraints, leading to increased costs and complexity in motor control systems.
Innovation Solution
A motor control device that uses a unified command system to control both stepping motors and DC motors by identifying the motor type and adjusting drive signals based on target rotation amounts and speeds, utilizing a communication unit, sensor interface, and drive signal generators to manage both motor types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of motors is increased to drive more movable bodies, then the player's interest is enhanced, but the arrangement space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to universally control both stepping motors and DC motors through a unified command system. The communication unit receives control commands that include motor type identification signals, allowing the same control device to manage different motor types without requiring separate control circuits for each motor type.
2Manufacturing precision
If stepping motors are used to precisely control movable bodies, then the moving amount per time is fixed, but the motor structure becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameters and methods based on motor type. For stepping motors, the control device sends excitation signals to drive the motor in discrete steps with fixed rotation amounts. For DC motors, the control device uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to control rotation speed and uses a rotation angle sensor to detect rotation amount, achieving precise control through parameter adjustment rather than structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If DC motor is used to reduce cost and size, then the motor is smaller and cheaper, but the rotation amount cannot be directly designated
Solution Approach 1:
When a DC motor is used, the control device incorporates a rotation angle sensor that outputs detection signals every time the motor rotates by a predetermined angle. The control device counts these detection signals to calculate the total rotation amount, providing feedback control that enables precise rotation amount designation despite the DC motor's inherent inability to directly control rotation position.
4Reliability
If separate control systems are prepared for stepping motor and DC motor, then each motor can be controlled optimally, but the development man-hour and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with universal control capabilities for both stepping motors and DC motors through a unified command system. The communication unit receives control commands that include motor type identification signals, allowing the same control device to manage different motor types without requiring separate control circuits for each motor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically adapts its control method based on the motor type identification signal. When a stepping motor is detected, the device sends excitation signals for discrete step control. When a DC motor is detected, the device switches to PWM control with rotation angle sensor feedback. This dynamic adaptation allows optimal control for each motor type while maintaining a single unified control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor control device has a communication unit that receives a control command comprising a motor type identification signal and a rotation signal, wherein the motor type identification signal indicates whether a control object motor is a stepping motor or a DC motor, and wherein the rotation signal designates a target rotation amount and a target rotation speed of the motor, a sensor interface that receives a detection signal from a rotation angle sensor when the control object motor is the DC motor, wherein the rotation angle sensor outputs the detection signal every time the motor rotates by a first rotation angle, a DC motor drive signal generator that generates and outputs a first drive signal rotating the DC motor at the target rotation speed, and a stepping motor drive signal generator that generates and outputs a second drive signal rotating the stepping motor at the target rotation speed.