U.S. patent application number 09/784114 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-21 for control apparatus of brushless motor and machine and apparatus using brushless motor.
Invention is credited to Kawabata, Yukio, Notohara, Yasuo, Tahara, Kazuo.
Application Number | 20010004197 09/784114 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 13542465 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawabata, Yukio ; et
al. |
June 21, 2001 |
Control apparatus of brushless motor and machine and apparatus
using brushless motor
Abstract
An apparatus such as an air conditioner, refrigerator or washing
machine having a control apparatus for use in a brushless motor
facing a part of a compressor and/or blower of the apparatus. The
control apparatus includes a voltage detector for generating a
detection voltage in response to a terminal voltage of plural
phases of a stator winding of the brushless motor, a standard
voltage generator for generating a standard voltage, a comparator
for outputting a comparison result information signal by comparing
the detection voltage and said standard voltage, a controller for
detecting a rotation position of a rotor of the brushless motor
according to the comparison result information signal which is
outputted from the comparator and for outputting an electric supply
control signal, and an output unit for supplying electric power to
the stator winding according to the electric supply control
signal.
Inventors: |
Kawabata, Yukio;
(Hitachinaka-shi, JP) ; Notohara, Yasuo;
(Hitachioota-shi, JP) ; Tahara, Kazuo;
(Hitachi-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI TERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
SUITE 1800
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22209
|
Family ID: |
13542465 |
Appl. No.: |
09/784114 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09784114 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
|
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|
09273984 |
Mar 22, 1999 |
|
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|
6191545 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
318/811 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02P 6/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
318/811 |
International
Class: |
H02P 005/28; H02P
005/34; H02P 005/38; H02P 005/408; H02P 007/36; H02P 007/44; H02P
007/628 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 23, 1998 |
JP |
10-74277 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus including a control apparatus for use in a brushless
motor comprising: voltage detection means for generating a
detection voltage in response to a terminal voltage of plural
phases of a stator winding of the brushless motor, standard voltage
generation means for generating a standard voltage, comparison
means for outputting a comparison result information signal by
comparing said detection voltage and said standard voltage, control
means for detecting a rotation position of a rotor of the brushless
motor according to said comparison result information signal which
is outputted from said comparison means and for outputting an
electric supply control signal, and output means for supplying
electric power to said stator winding according to said electric
supply control signal, wherein said control means detects a
position of said rotor according to a pattern of plural phase
comparison result information signals, wherein the brushless motor
forms a part of at least one of a compressor and a blower of the
apparatus which is one of (a) an air conditioner, (b) a
refrigerator and (c) a washing machine, and wherein said control
means at least one of (a) extracts an "on" period or an "off"
period of a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal according to said
comparison results information signal (b) detects a position of
said rotor according to a pattern of plural phase comparison result
information signals, (c) determines a pattern of electric supply to
said stator winding according to a pattern of plural phase
comparison result information signals, (d) detects a period in
which a return current flows after an electric supply changeover
according to a pattern of said comparison result information
signal, (e) detects a rotor position according to a pattern of said
comparison result information signal and changes over an electric
supply phase according to electric supply information which is
stored in a memory, (e) detects a rotor position according to a
pattern of said comparison result information signal and changes
over an electric supply phase according to a phase control command
from an outside source, and (f) carries out a phase control in an
operation efficiency importance in a PWM control area and carries
out control for proceeding an electric phase in a high rotation
importance control area.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is
constituted by one of a microprocessor having plural input and
output ports and a hybrid IC having plural input and output
ports.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means
outputs said electric supply control signal which is for said
stator winding in response to said rotation position.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means uses
one of an A/D (analog/digital) conversion terminal, a communication
use terminal and an input port as a terminal for inputting said
phase control command from said outside source.
5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means
outputs said electric supply control signal which is for said
stator winding in response to said rotation position.
6. Apparatus including a control apparatus for use in a brushless
motor comprising: voltage detection means for generating a
detection voltage in response to a terminal voltage of plural
phases of a stator winding of the brushless motor, standard voltage
generation means for generating a standard voltage, comparison
means for outputting a comparison result information signal by
comparing said detection voltage and said standard voltage, control
means for detecting a rotation position of a rotor of the brushless
motor according to said comparison result information signal which
is outputted from said comparison means and for outputting an
electric supply control signal, and output means for supplying
electric power to said stator winding according to said electric
supply control signal, wherein said control means detects a
position of said rotor according to a pattern of plural phase
comparison result information signals, selection holding means for
selecting whether said comparison result information signal from
said comparison means is to be output from a phase signal or
whether a previous level of said comparison result information
signal is to be output as a phase signal, wherein said selection
holding means at least one of (a) operates to output, when a PWM
(pulse width modulation) signal is in an "on" condition, said
comparison information signal from said comparison means as said
phase signal as it is, and, when said PWM signal changes to an
"off" condition, continues to output the level of the condition
comparison result information signal which occurred immediately
before the "off" condition as said phase signal, and wherein the
brushless motor forms a part of at least one of a compressor and a
blower of the apparatus which is one of (a) an air conditioner, (b)
a refrigerator and (c) a washing machine.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means is
constituted by one of a microprocessor having plural input and
output ports and a hybrid IC having plural input and output
ports.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means
outputs said electric supply control signal which is for said
stator winding in response to said rotation position.
9. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a rectifying
circuit for converting an alternating current power source voltage
to a direct current voltage, an inverter circuit for converting
said direct current voltage to an alternating current voltage and
for supplying said alternating current voltage to said brushless
motor, and a control circuit for controlling said inverter
circuit.
10. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a converter
circuit having a rectifying circuit for converting an alternating
current power source voltage to a direct current voltage and a
chopper circuit for controlling the level of said direct current
voltage, an inverter circuit for converting said direct current
voltage which is received from said inverter circuit to an
alternating current voltage and for supplying said alternating
current voltage to said brushless motor, a converter control
circuit for controlling a switching operation of said inverter
circuit, an inverter control circuit for driving said brushless
motor by controlling a switching operation of said inverter
circuit, and a control circuit for controlling said converter
control circuit and said inverter control circuit.
11. Apparatus including a control apparatus for use in a brushless
motor comprising: voltage detection means for generating a
detection voltage in response to a terminal voltage of plural
phases of a stator winding of the brushless motor, standard voltage
generation means for generating a standard voltage, comparison
means for outputting a comparison result information signal by
comparing said detection voltage and said standard voltage, control
means for detecting a rotation position of a rotor of the brushless
motor according to a pattern of a phase signal by obtaining said
phase signal according to said comparison result information signal
which is outputted from said comparison means and for outputting an
electric supply control signal, and output means for supplying
electric power to said stator winding according to said electric
supply control signal, wherein after a return current after an
electric supply change-over vanishes, a processing is carried out
for renewing a phase signal pattern which is correlated to carry
out a position detection, and wherein the brushless motor forms a
part of at least one of a compressor and a blower of the apparatus
which is one of (a) an air conditioner, (b) a refrigerator and (c)
a washing machine.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control means is
constituted by one of a microprocessor having plural input and
output ports and a hybrid IC having plural input and output
ports.
13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control means
outputs said electric supply control signal which is for said
stator winding in response to said rotation position.
14. In a brushless motor system having a brushless motor and a
control apparatus for controlling the brushless motor, said control
apparatus detects a rotor position of said brushless motor in
response to the voltage of a stator winding of said brushless
motor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
09/273,984, filed Mar. 22, 1999, the subject matter of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a
brushless motor and to a machine and apparatus using a brushless
motor. The invention relates in particular to a control apparatus
for controlling the speed of rotation of a brushless motor to a
desired speed. This control apparatus may be used in an air
conditioner for performing air conditioning in a room by
controlling a brushless motor for driving a compressor and a blower
in the air conditioner, a refrigerator for carrying out
refrigeration by controlling a brushless motor for driving a
compressor and a blower in the refrigerator, and a washing machine
for carrying out the washing of clothes by controlling a brushless
motor for driving an agitator and a spinning basket in the washing
machine.
[0003] A brushless motor in which a permanent magnet rotor and a
stator winding are combined typically is employed in an air
conditioner, a refrigerator and a washing machine, etc. from an
aspect of ease of maintenance.
[0004] In a drive control of the above stated brushless motor, it
is necessary to carry out control in close relationship with the
magnetic pole position of the rotor and the position of the stator
winding to which electric power is supplied. To detect the magnetic
pole position of the rotor, without use of a rotor position
detection sensor, such as a Hall element etc, a sensorless position
detection system is employed using a counter electromotive voltage,
which is induced in the stator winding according to a mutual
operation with the magnetic pole of the rotor, allowing the
magnetic pole position of the rotor to be detected.
[0005] As a brushless drive apparatus in which the above stated
rotor position detection system is employed, for example, there is
a brushless motor drive apparatus described in Japanese application
patent laid-open publication No. Hei 7-147793. In this brushless
motor drive apparatus, a direct current voltage, which is outputted
from a direct current power supply, is supplied to a stator winding
of a brushless motor through an inverter circuit. A terminal
voltage detection means produces a detection voltage by voltage
dividing the terminal voltage of the stator winding of the
brushless motor, and the detection voltage is inputted to a
comparison circuit. The comparison circuit outputs a phase signal
by comparing the detection voltage with a standard voltage.
[0006] And, on the basis of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal
PS generated from a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generation
circuit, a control apparatus generates a latch timing signal LS
according to a latch signal generation circuit to perform a latch
operation after a timing in which the above stated PWM signal PS
changes from an "on" condition to an "off" condition. Even when an
oscillation is generated in the terminal voltage of the stator
winding, without being affected by such oscillation, the phase
signal from the comparison circuit is latched in a latch circuit
and the position detection signal can be obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVNTION
[0007] In the above stated conventional brushless motor drive
apparatus, an output signal from the latch circuit is delayed with
time from the phase signal which is outputted from the comparison
circuit and, accordingly, the detection position of the rotor
magnetic pole which is obtained becomes displaced widely from the
actual position of the magnetic pole of the rotor.
[0008] As stated above, when the detection timing of the position
detection signal deviates widely, the commutation (electric supply)
phase of the stator winding current of the brushless motor is
delayed, resulting in an increase in current delays, and the
current rises up immediately prior to a change-over of the winding
current. This places an increased burden on the drive circuit due
to a lowering of the operating efficiency and a sharp rise-up by
the current, with a result that an increase of the current capacity
of the circuit elements is necessary, which results in an increase
in the manufacturing cost. Or, during the latch timing, the noises
overlap with the output signal of the comparison circuit due to the
disturbance noises, and, when a phase signal which deviates widely
in position from an original position detection signal is latched,
the brushless motor can not be driven normally, resulting in a
problem in which the brushless motor vibrates or stops.
[0009] Further, in the above stated conventional brushless motor
drive apparatus, since the latch operation is carried out after the
timing in which the PWM signal PS changes from the "on" condition
to the "off" condition, when the conduction ratio during PWM
control is 100%, there is an problem in that a gate signal of the
latch circuit can not be defined or the gate signal in the
conduction ratio at 100% of PWM control etc. can not be
defined.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a control
apparatus for a brushless motor wherein the magnetic pole position
detection accuracy of a rotor in the brushless motor can be
heightened and an accurate control can be carried out.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
control apparatus for a brushless motor wherein the position
detection error due to noises can be reduced.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
control apparatus for a brushless motor wherein an electric supply
error operation due to noises can be reduced.
[0013] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a control apparatus for a brushless motor wherein the
control range can be enlarged.
[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
control apparatus for a brushless motor wherein the operation of a
brushless motor can be controlled by an efficiency importance
characteristic or can be controlled by a high speed importance
characteristic.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
control apparatus for a brushless motor wherein a wide control
range can be attained.
[0016] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a control apparatus for a brushless motor wherein, when the period
of return flow current after an electric supply change-over is very
long without stopping the brushless motor, a good control can be
carried out.
[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
machine and apparatus, in which a brushless motor controlled as
stated above becomes a power source, in particular, for an
apparatus such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, or a washing
machine.
[0018] One feature according to the present invention resides in
the fact that in a control apparatus for use in a brushless motor
in which, by detecting a position of a magnetic pole of a rotor
according to a terminal voltage of a stator winding of a respective
phase, an electric supply to the stator winding is controlled, and
an "on" period and an "off" period of the PWM signal is extracted
in accordance with a comparison result information signal in which
a detection voltage in response to the terminal voltage is compared
with a standard voltage.
[0019] Another feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that, during the "on" period of the PWM signal,
extracted according to the terminal voltage of the stator winding,
the above stated comparison result information signal, which is
output as a phase signal as it is during the "off" period by
holding an immediately prior comparison result information signal,
is output as a phase signal.
[0020] Another feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that the position of the rotor is detected in
accordance with a pattern of the comparison result information
signal of the stator winding of plural phases.
[0021] A further feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that an electric supply pattern to the stator winding
is determined in accordance with a pattern of the comparison result
information signal of the stator winding of plural phases.
[0022] Another feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that the period in which a return flow current flows
after an electric supply change-over is detected in accordance with
a pattern of the comparison result information signal of the stator
winding of plural phases.
[0023] Still another feature according to the present invention
resides in the fact that after the vanishing of a return flow
current after an electric supply change-over, a processing for
renewing a phase signal pattern for a correlation for position
detection is carried out.
[0024] Another feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that after an electric supply change-over and a
predetermined time lapse, a processing for renewing a phase signal
pattern for a correlation for position detection is carried
out.
[0025] Another feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that a rotor position is detected, in accordance with a
pattern of the comparison result information signal and according
to electric supply phase information stored in a memory or a phase
control command from an outside source, and a change-over of an
electric supply phase is carried out.
[0026] Another feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that in a PWM control area, a phase control having an
operation efficiency importance is carried out and in a high
rotation importance area a control for proceeding an electric
supply phase is carried out.
[0027] A further feature according to the present invention resides
in the fact that, in an air conditioner, a refrigerator and a
washing machine, the brushless motor controlled by the above stated
control apparatus is used as a driving source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a brushless motor drive
apparatus representing one embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 2A is a schematic circuit diagram showing a gate signal
preparation circuit in the brushless motor drive apparatus
according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 2B is a schematic circuit diagram showing a gate signal
preparation circuit in the brushless motor drive apparatus
according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 2C is a schematic circuit diagram showing a gate signal
preparation circuit in the brushless motor drive apparatus
according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a signal waveform diagram relating to a position
detection circuit in the brushless motor drive apparatus according
to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a processing flow chart showing the operation of a
control circuit in the brushless motor drive apparatus according to
the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram in PWM (pulse width
modulation) control having a conduction ratio less than 100%
relating to the position detection circuit in the brushless motor
drive apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a signal waveform diagram in PWM control having a
conduction ratio of 100% and PAM (pulse amplitude modulation)
control relating to the position detection circuit in the brushless
motor drive apparatus according to the present invention, as shown
in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a signal waveform diagram for a long period in
which a return flow current flows after an electric supply current
change-over according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 is an operation efficiency characteristic diagram for
the brushless motor according to the present invention; and
[0038] FIG. 9 is a speed characteristic diagram for the brushless
motor according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Hereinafter, the embodiments of a control apparatus for use
in a brushless motor, and a machine and apparatus using the
brushless motor, which is driven and controlled by the control
apparatus, will be explained with reference to from FIG. 1 to FIG.
9.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a brushless motor drive
apparatus representing one embodiment according to the present
invention. This brushless motor drive apparatus comprises an
alternating current (AC) power supply 1, a rectifying circuit 2, a
smoothing circuit 3, an inverter circuit 4, a brushless motor 5, a
control circuit 6, a driver 7, a terminal voltage detector 8, and a
phase signal generation circuit 9.
[0041] The rectifying circuit 2 rectifies an alternating current
(AC) from the alternating current (AC) power supply 1, and the
smoothing circuit 3 smooths the rectified output voltage and
generates a direct current (DC) voltage. The inverter circuit 4
converts the direct current (DC) voltage to an alternating current
(AC) voltage having an optimum pulse width and supplies it to a
stator winding of the brushless motor 5, and then the brushless
motor 5 is rotated. The control circuit 6 (one chip microprocessor
or a hybrid IC) carries out a control processing for control of the
above stated brushless motor 5 in response to a speed command
signal SV, and the driver 7 drives the inverter circuit 4 in
accordance with the output of the control circuit 6.
[0042] In accordance with a detection voltage 8a, which is obtained
from the terminal voltage detector 8 in response to a terminal
voltage (=a counter electromotive force) of a respective phase of
the stator winding of the brushless motor 5, the phase signal
generation circuit 9 generates a phase signal 9a which represents
information as to the position of a magnetic pole of the rotor of
the brushless motor 5 and supplies this phase signal 9a to the
control circuit 6.
[0043] The phase signal generation circuit 9, basically, is a
circuit in which, when a PWM signal is in an "on" condition, a
comparison result information signal 10b from a comparison circuit
10, which is responsive to the detection voltage 8a corresponding
to the terminal voltage of the respective phase of the brushless
motor 5, is outputted as the phase signal 9a, and when PWM signal
changes to the "off" condition, the previous level of the
comparison result information signal 10b is held and output as the
phase signal 9a.
[0044] The phase signal generation circuit 9 comprises the
comparison circuit 10 for comparing the detection voltage 8a, which
corresponds to the terminal voltage of a respective phase of the
stator winding of the brushless motor 5, with a standard voltage; a
delay circuit 11 for delaying the comparison result information
signal 10b of the respective phase which is outputted from the
comparison circuit 10; a selection holding circuit 12 for
outputting the generated phase signal 9a, according to an output
signal 11a from the delay circuit 11, to the above stated control
circuit 6; and a gate signal preparation circuit 13 for producing a
gate signal 13a for controlling the operation characteristic of the
selection holding circuit 12 in accordance with the comparison
result information signal 10a which is outputted from the above
stated comparison circuit 10.
[0045] The above stated comparison circuit 10 is a circuit in which
the detection voltage 8a, in response to the terminal voltage of a
respective phase of the stator winding of the brushless motor 5, is
compared with a standard voltage, and the comparison result
information signals 10a and 10b are output for each of the
respective phases. Herein, the standard voltage used in the
comparison is a voltage of 1/2of a neutral point voltage of the
stator winding of the brushless motor 5 or the direct current (DC)
voltage which is outputted from the smoothing circuit 3.
[0046] The gate signal preparation circuit 13 extracts an "on"
period or an "off" period of the PWM control according to a logical
processing in accordance with the comparison result information
signal 10a which is outputted from the comparison circuit 10. And,
for control of the selection holding circuit 12, the gate signal
preparation circuit 13 has a function of outputting the gate signal
13a for selecting whether a phase signal 9a reflecting the level of
the comparison result information signal 10b at this time is to be
outputted, or whether the signal level which appears before the PWM
signal changes to the "off" condition is to be held as the phase
signal 9a to be outputted. When the voltage level of the detection
voltage 8a is at a level in which a general logic circuit is
processed, the gate signal 13a can be obtained directly from this
detection voltage 8a.
[0047] The above stated delay circuit 11 is a functional means for
delaying the comparison result information signal 10b of the
respective phase which is outputted from the comparison circuit 10
to adjust the operation timing when the signal is selected and held
in the selection holding circuit 12. Since this delay circuit 11
adjusts the timing of the signal 11a which is inputted to the
selection holding circuit 12 and the operation (the gate signal
13a) of the selection holding circuit 12, and taking into
consideration the circuit constant of the comparison circuit 10 and
the gate signal preparation circuit 13, it is possible to omit the
delay circuit 11 by adjusting the comparison result information
signal 10b and the gate signal 13a.
[0048] According to the gate signal 13a, which is output from the
gate signal preparation circuit 13, the selection holding circuit
12 functionally operates to output the respective output signal 11a
from the delay circuit 11 as the respective phase signal 9a as it
is, when the gate signal 13a is high, and, when the gate signal 13a
is low, operates to output as the phase signal 9a the same signal
level as was output before the gate signal 13a went low.
[0049] Each of FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C is a block diagram
showing a respective example of the above stated gate signal
preparation circuit 13. The illustrated gate signal preparation
circuit 13 is constituted by a combination of logic elements. The
comparison result information signal 10a is inputted as Vu, Vv and
Vw, and the logic processing result (an output X) of the logic
formula (formula 1) is outputted as the gate signal 13a.
Accordingly, when the logic circuit satisfies the formula 1, even
if it has another construction, it can be used similarly.
output X=(Vu X Vv X Vw)+(Vu X Vv X Vw) formula 1
[0050] FIG. 3 shows the waveform of signals in the control circuit
6 and the phase signal generation circuit 9. In FIG. 3, waveform
(a) shows the PWM signal which is outputted from the control
circuit 6. In relation to this, waveform (b) of FIG. 3 is a
detection voltage waveform of the terminal voltage of the stator
winding of the brushless motor 5 showing an affect of the driver 7
and the inverter circuit 4 at a respective raise-up of the waveform
after a delay of tdON and at a respective falling-down of the
waveform at a delay of tdOFF. Waveform (c) of FIG. 3 shows the
comparison result information signals 10a and 10b which are
outputted from the comparison circuit 10. Waveform (d) of FIG. 3 is
the gate signal 13a which is produced by the gate signal
preparation circuit 13 in response to the comparison result
information signal 10a.
[0051] In the selection holding circuit 12, as shown in waveform
(e) of FIG. 3, in response to the gate signal 13a, when the gate
signal 13a is at a high level, the output signal 11a of the delay
circuit 11 is selected, and when the gate signal 13a is at a low
level, the phase signal 9a retains the signal level which it had
immediately before the signal 13a went low.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows one example of the processing performed by the
control circuit 6 in response to the phase signal 9a. A processing
41 is a main processing for motor control, including a speed
control etc. of the brushless motor 5. A processing 42 is a signal
processing with respect to rotor position detection, and a
processing 43 is a drive processing for determining a switching
operation of the inverter circuit 4 according to the rotor
position, which is determined by the processing 42. A processing 44
is a processing for clearing a preparation flag relating to the
drive processing on the basis of the position detection processing;
and a processing 45 is a processing for clearing a coincidence flag
which indicates two occurrences of a coincidence detection of a
phase signal pattern. Herein, the drive processing performed by the
processing 43 is a processing which occurs after a predetermined
time lapse, which is adjusted by the phase correction to enable the
electric supply change-over.
[0053] The processing 42 is a processing in which, by periodically
reading the phase signal 9a, and on the basis this phase single 9a,
the rotor position is detected (determined). In the detection of
the position of this rotor, since the phase signal 9a presents a
predetermined signal pattern, a pattern of the phase signal 9a is
detected by correlation with a predetermined signal pattern.
[0054] A processing step 42a is a count processing step to manage
the signal processing relating to the rotor position detection of
how times a processing is carried out during the electric angle of
30 degrees, during the electric angle of 60 degrees, during the
electric angle 120 degrees, during the electric angle of 360
degrees, and during the mechanical angle of 360 degrees, etc.
Further, the processing 42a is a count processing which is carried
out after the lapse of a predetermined time.
[0055] A processing step 42b is a read-in processing step for
reading in the phase signal 9a of the respective phase. At this
time, in accordance with the timing at which the phase signal 9a
has been read in, the level of the signal, such as the high level
or the low level, from the control circuit 6 is effective to
confirm the operation of the control apparatus.
[0056] A processing step 42c is a processing step in which, after
the electric supply change-over, it is determined whether a
predetermined time has lapsed or not, which judgment is obtained
according to a count value produced by an interior timer or the
above stated processing 42a, etc.
[0057] A processing step 42d is a branch processing in which it is
determined whether a predetermined signal pattern necessary for the
next electric supply control processing is set or not.
[0058] A processing step 42e is a processing step for renewal and
setting of the predetermined signal pattern necessary for the next
electric supply processing, when, in the above stated processing
step 42d, it is determined that a predetermined signal pattern
necessary for the next electric supply processing is not set. The
processing step 42e involves setting a preparation flag in which
the renewal of the predetermined signal pattern is expressed. A
processing step 42f involves a processing for clearing the flag
which is used for the judgment in which it is determined whether or
not the position signal pattern occurs for a first time.
[0059] In a processing step 42h, the pattern of the respective
phase signal 9a, which is read in at the processing step 42b, is
correlated with a predetermined signal pattern which is determined
by the rotor position.
[0060] In a processing step 42i, when the signal patterns are
coincident, the processing proceeds to the processing step 42k, but
when the signal patterns are not coincident, the processing jumps
to the processing step 42j.
[0061] The processing step 42j carries out a processing in which
the flag, which is used to indicate whether coincidence has
occurred two times or not, is cleared.
[0062] The processing step 42k is a branch processing in which it
is determined whether coincidence has occurred two times or not. A
processing step 42l is a processing in which, when the coincident
flag is in the "off" condition and the signal pattern is
coincident, then the coincident flag is set to the "on" condition.
A processing step 42m is a branch processing in which it is
determined whether the predetermined signal pattern necessary for
the next electric supply control processing is set or not.
[0063] A processing step 42n involves a processing in which the
predetermined signal pattern necessary for the next electric supply
control processing is renewed and set, when, in the above stated
processing step 42m, it is judged that the predetermined signal
pattern necessary for the next time electric supply control
processing is not set. A processing step 42o involves a processing
in which a preparation flag for indicating the renewal of the
predetermined signal pattern is set, and a processing step 42p
involves a processing for clearing the flag which is used when it
is judged whether the coincident signal pattern occurs for the
first time or not. In other words, after the predetermined signal
pattern is renewed in the processing step 42e or the processing
step 42n, when the signal pattern of the phase signal 9a which is
read in the processing step 42b has produced coincidence two times,
at this rotation position a suitable electric supply pattern is
determined, and then the drive processing 43 is carried out.
[0064] Herein, since the steps from the processing step 42d to the
processing step 42g are of the same rank as the steps from the
processing step 42n to the processing step 42p, by forming a
sub-routine, an increase in program complexity can be restrained to
a minimum, and, at the same time, when the return flow period after
the electric supply changeover is long, the brushless motor 5 can
be controlled effectively.
[0065] FIG. 5 shows the detection signal 8a indicative of the
terminal voltage of the respective phase (U, V, W phase) of the
stator winding, the PWM signal, the comparison result information
signal of the respective phase which is outputted from the
comparison circuit, the information signal pattern of the PWM
signal during the "on" condition, which is read in the control
circuit 6, and the position detection information which is
recognized in the interior portion of the control circuit 6 for the
brushless motor 5 in PWM control with a conduction ratio of less
than 100%.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, in a case where the control processing
using the algorithm shown in FIG. 4 is carried out, as shown at t1
and t3, immediately after the change-over of the electric supply
pattern, when the phase signal which is equal to t2 and t4 appears,
error judgment can be prevented, and also, without the affect of
the return flow current which flows immediately after the
change-over of the electric supply pattern, a good phase signal can
be obtained effectively, with the result that the change-over of
the electric supply can be carried out effectively.
[0067] Further, in the processing step 42e and the processing step
42n, as explained with reference to FIG. 4, after the renewal of
the signal pattern, as shown in waveform (b) of FIG. 3, when the
detection signal oscillates at the vicinity of the standard point,
the signal response to the oscillation is outputted, as shown in
waveform (c) of FIG. 3. From the processing 41, the processing
transfers to the periodic processing 42, and the processing step
42b is carried out with the timing ta shown in waveform (e) of FIG.
3. The correlation of the signal patterns is carried out in the
processing step 42h, and, according to the pattern coincidence in
the processing step 42i, the processing proceeds to the processing
step 42k. At this time, during the present electric supply period,
since there is a first time pattern coincidence and the coincidence
flag is in the "off" condition, the processing branches from the
processing 42k to the processing step 42l. After that, the
processing step 42b is carried out again with the timing tb shown
in waveform (e) of FIG. 3, and after the processing step 42h is
carried out, in the processing step 42i, since the signal pattern
does not coincide, the processing branches to the processing step
42j, and the coincidence flag is cleared. The processing then
returns to main processing 41.
[0068] Further, when the processing transfers from the above stated
processing 41 to the periodic processing 42, the processing step
42b is carried out at the timing of tc shown in waveform (e) of
FIG. 3, similar to the above, as far as the processing step 42l is
carried out. At the timing td shown in waveform (e) of FIG. 3, the
processing from the processing step 42b to the processing step 42k
is carried out since the coincidence flag is in the "on" condition.
The processing proceeds through the processing 42m to the
processing 43, and, as a result, the drive processing suited for
the rotor position is carried out.
[0069] When the phase signal generation circuit 9 and the above
stated position detection algorithm are employed, even when pulse
shape noises are generated, the rotor position can be detected
properly, and, as a result, it is possible to carry out good motor
control. Further, in this embodiment according to the present
invention, as a condition for carrying out drive processing, two
occurrences of pattern coincidence of the phase signal 9a are
employed, however, it is effective to employ detection of
coincidence more than two times, and also it is effective to omit
this requirement by restraining the noises and the oscillations
which appear in the terminal voltage of the stator winding of the
brushless motor 5.
[0070] FIG. 6 shows a part of one phase of the detection voltage 8a
of the terminal voltage of the stator winding of the brushless
motor 5, the comparison result information signals 10a and 10b
which are outputted from the comparison circuit 10, the gate signal
13a which is outputted from the gate signal preparation circuit 13
and the phase signal 9a which is outputted from the selection
holding circuit 12, in PWM control with a conduction ratio of 100%
or in PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) control.
[0071] In a case where this phase signal generation circuit 9 is
employed, when the PWM signal is in the "on" condition, the
comparison result information signal 10b is reflected to the phase
signal 9a as it is, and when the PWM signal is in the "off"
condition, the signal level which occurs immediately before the
"off" condition is held, so that regardless of whether the chopping
operation in the PWM control is carried out or not, a similar phase
signal 9a can be obtained, with the result that it is possible to
carry out a good motor control in PAM control.
[0072] Further, in this embodiment according to the present
invention, even with a construction in which an output voltage
variable type rectifying circuit 2 is employed, since the standard
voltage of the comparison circuit 10 is varied in response to the
present output voltage, PWM control and PAM control, or the
change-over control of PWM/PAM, an equal phase signal can be
obtained and good motor control can be realized.
[0073] FIG. 7 shows the detection voltage 8a of the terminal
voltage of the stator winding of the brushless motor 5, the
comparison result information signal which is outputted from the
comparison circuit, and part of one phase of the position detection
information in the interior portion of the control circuit 6, in
PWM control with a conduction ratio of 100% or PAM control, when
the period in which return flow current flows after the electric
supply change-over is long.
[0074] Since the processing step 42e is provided to judge the
predetermined time lapse after the electric supply change-over,
when the period in which the return flow current flows after the
electric supply change-over is long and the information signal does
not vary in the vicinity of the standard point, as shown in FIG. 6,
the signal pattern is altered. Accordingly, the brushless motor 5
does not stop and good motor control can be obtained.
[0075] And, when the phase signal generation circuit 9 as described
above is used, since the "on" period and the "off" period of the
PWM signal are extracted from the voltage (the terminal voltage)
which is applied actually to the stator winding of the brushless
motor 5, it is unnecessary to carry out an operation for timing
adjustment and correction from the outside and, even when the
circuit constant etc. for determining the delay time varies, it is
possible to generate a phase signal for carrying out a superior
rotation position detection processing.
[0076] Incidentally, between the PWM signal which is generated in
the control circuit 6 and the voltage which is applied actually to
the stator winding of the brushless motor 5, since a delay occurs
due to operation delay, when in the control circuit 6 the rotor
position can be detected accurately from the motor terminal voltage
in response to the PWM signal, it is necessary to carry out a
timing adjustment between them.
[0077] As the control circuit 6 detects (judges) the rotor position
in accordance with the pattern of the phase signal in response to
the terminal voltage (the detection voltage) of the stator winding
of the respective phase of the stator winding at some time
(timing), erroneous detection due to the noises can be reduced.
[0078] Further, in this control circuit 6, since the next electric
supply pattern is determined according to this rotor position and
the present electric supply pattern according to the stator
winding, it is possible to reduce erroneous operation due to the
noises.
[0079] In the rotation position detected according to the edge
interruption processing used in the conventional control apparatus,
to avoid erroneous operation due to a spike voltage which is
generated immediately after the commutation, it is necessary to
provide a phase signal read-on inhibiting section. However,
according to the present invention, it is unnecessary to provide
such a phase signal read-on inhibiting section, since, by measuring
the period of the spike voltage, the time (the timing for vanishing
the return flow current) in which the return flow voltage flows can
be assumed, and by utilizing this to achieve phase control, wide
control can be realized.
[0080] Since the operation efficiency of the brushless motor 5, as
shown in FIG. 8, changes according to the electric supply phase to
the counter electromotive force, the electric supply phase is a
very important factor. Accordingly, to effect the highest
efficiency during motor starting, using the information which is
stored in a RAM and ROM in advance, the electric supply phase is
controlled, with the result that the brushless motor 5 can be
operated with the high efficiency.
[0081] Further, when the electric supply phase is controlled from
the outside at the user side, the brushless motor 5 can be operated
by an electric supply phase which is suited for the motor. The
control terminals for the outside control can use an A/D conversion
terminal, a communication use terminal and an input port etc.
[0082] In the speed control in the brushless motor 5, in PWM
control in which the terminal voltage which is supplied to the
stator winding is controlled by pulse width control, when the
conduction ratio reaches the maximum value (100%), it can not carry
out control for heightening the rotation speed more than the
maximum value. Further, in PAM control for carrying out speed
control by controlling the magnitude of the terminal voltage which
is supplied to the stator winding, when the terminal voltage
reaches the maximum value, it can not carry out the control for
increasing the rotation speed beyond the maximum value. However, as
shown in FIG. 9, at a condition in which, by maintaining the
terminal voltage at the same value which is supplied to the stator
winding, the electric supply phase is varied, and, accordingly, the
rotation speed can be varied. And, the control of the electric
supply phase can be realized by employing the phase signal.
[0083] Accordingly, in addition to PWM control of the stator
winding current of the brushless motor and/or PAM control, the
electric supply phase is carried out, and the rotation speed of the
brushless motor can be controlled widely. For example, in PWM
control, under the condition where the conduction ratio does not
reach the maximum value, or under the condition where in PAM
control the supply voltage does not reach the maximum value, the
control under the electric supply phase in which the efficiency of
the motor becomes maximum and after the conduction ratio or the
supply voltage has reached maximum value, the control is carried
out to proceed the electric supply phase from the maximum
efficiency point, and in common it carries out the operation
control characteristic as the efficiency importance. Under the
condition where the high rotation is necessary, it can proceed the
electric supply phase and the operation control characteristic
having the high speed characteristic importance.
[0084] In the above stated control apparatus, this control
apparatus is constituted by a hybrid IC to which the control
circuit 6 and the phase signal generation circuit 9 are united and
an intelligent type power module to which the control circuit 6 and
the phase signal generation circuit 9 are united, the number of
components can be reduced. As a result, a control apparatus which
is able to be handled easily can be obtained.
[0085] In a heat pump system for an air conditioner, since the
cooling and warming output is varied by the rotation speed of a
compressor, as stated above, in addition to PWM control and/or PAM
control, by using a brushless motor which is controlled under the
electric supply phase as the drive source of the above stated
compressor and/or the blower, an air conditioner having a high
cooling and warming ability can be realized. Further, in the
ordinary operation area, an operation control having efficiency
importance is carried out. With the result that an energy saving
type air conditioner can be attained.
[0086] Similarly to above, since the brushless motor controlled by
using this control apparatus is used as the drive source of the
compressor and/or the blower of a refrigerator, a refrigerator
having a superior refrigeration ability can be realized.
[0087] Further, when in a washing machine, the brushless motor for
rotating the agitator and the spinning basket is constituted as the
power source and is controlled using this control apparatus,
similar to the washing machine, a superior control characteristic
can be obtained. In particular, it is effective to realize an
energy saving and high speed spinning.
[0088] In addition to the above, when the phase signal generation
circuit according to the present invention is employed, since the
use of the electrolyte capacitor having the large capacity becomes
unnecessary, and since the apparatus has the function for holding
the signal level, even a low cost microprocessor having the slow
processing speed can be used in the control apparatus, making it is
possible to accurately carry out the detection processing for
detecting the position of the rotor of the brushless motor.
Further, since the inverter control circuit and the drive circuit
are formed integrally, a compact size and low cost inverter control
circuit can be realized. Since the air conditioner, the
refrigerator and the washing machine employ the above stated
control apparatus, a compact size, low cost, making having a
superior control characteristic can be realized.
[0089] According to the present invention, in the brushless motor,
the magnetic pole position detection accuracy of the rotor is high
and an accurate control can be attained.
[0090] Further, position detection error and electric supply error
due to noises can be reduced, and, as a result, the control range
can be enlarged.
[0091] Further, since the brushless motor is operation controlled
with an efficiency importance characteristic, or the operation
control is carried out with a high speed importance characteristic,
the brushless motor can be controlled over a large range.
[0092] Further, by use of the brushless motor to be controlled by
the above stated control apparatus as a driving source, an air
conditioner having a high performance, a refrigerator having a high
performance and a washing machine having the high performance can
be realized.
[0093] To Sum up, according to one of the features of the present
invention, the phase signal generation circuit 9 is constituted
using the comparison circuit 10, the delay circuit 11, the gate
signal preparation circuit 13, and the selection signal holding
circuit 12; and, the phase signal generated by this phase signal
generation circuit 9 is pattern recognized by the control circuit
6, and the position of the rotor is detected. Therefore, PWM
control for the whole area, PAM control, and the changeover of
PWM/PAM control can be carried out.
* * * * *