New controllers offer high efficiency over a wide rotation range

Toshiba Electronics Europe offers two new three-phase brushless motor controller ICs based upon InPAC, the company's original automatic phase adjustment function. This removes the requirement for phase adjustment and delivers high levels of efficiency at a extensive range of motor rotation speeds. Subsequently, the new devices can be utilised with motor drivers that have multiple voltages and current capacities as well as being employed in combination with intelligent power devices at the output stages. The new controllers (TC78B041FNG and TC78B042FTG) are designed for use in home appliances such as air-conditioners and air purifiers, and industrial equipment.

To achieve high-level efficiency in conventional systems, it is important to alter the phase of the motor voltage and motor current for individual fan motors. Achieving high efficiency over a broad range of rotational speeds — from almost zero RPM at start-up to high speeds of several thousand RPM — demands a large component count for phase adjustment. It also presents the call for an MCU control system, which is complex and time-consuming to develop.

The new controllers comprise a forward/reverse detection switch and motor lock detection. The quantity of pulses in the rotation pulse signal is selectable. The TC78B041FNG is housed in a 7.6mm x 10.2mm x 1.6mm SSOP30 package and incorporates an error detection positive input. The TC78B042FTG is in a 5mm x 5mm x 1mm VQFN32 package and incorporates error detection on the positive and negative inputs.