A method for starting a sensorless single-phase electric motor. The electric motor includes a permanent magnetic motor rotor, an electromagnetic motor stator having a stator coil, a power electronics which energizes the stator coil, a current sensor which measures a current flowing in the stator coil, and a control electronics which controls the power electronics. The control electronics is connected with the current sensor. The method includes energizing the stator coil with an alternating drive voltage, monitoring a drive current which is generated in the stator coil by the alternating drive voltage, and commutating the alternating drive voltage whenever the drive current reaches a predefined positive current threshold value or a predefined negative current threshold value.

A method for starting a sensorless single-phase electric motor. The electric motor includes a permanent magnetic motor rotor, an electromagnetic motor stator having a stator coil, a power electronics which energizes the stator coil, a current sensor which measures a current flowing in the stator coil, and a control electronics which controls the power electronics. The control electronics is connected with the current sensor. The method includes energizing the stator coil with an alternating drive voltage, monitoring a drive current which is generated in the stator coil by the alternating drive voltage, and commutating the alternating drive voltage whenever the drive current reaches a predefined positive current threshold value or a predefined negative current threshold value.

A method for detecting a stall condition of an electric motor. The method can include initiating an open-loop phase. During the open-loop phase, the method can include increasing a rotational speed of an electric motor and obtaining data indicative of a voltage associated with the electric motor while increasing the rotational speed of the electric motor. During the open-loop phase, the method can also include determining a difference between the voltage and a time varying target voltage and detecting a stall condition based at least in part on the difference between the voltage and the time varying target voltage. When a closed-loop condition is satisfied, the method can include initiating a closed-loop phase.

A method for detecting a stall condition of an electric motor. The method can include initiating an open-loop phase. During the open-loop phase, the method can include increasing a rotational speed of an electric motor and obtaining data indicative of a voltage associated with the electric motor while increasing the rotational speed of the electric motor. During the open-loop phase, the method can also include determining a difference between the voltage and a time varying target voltage and detecting a stall condition based at least in part on the difference between the voltage and the time varying target voltage. When a closed-loop condition is satisfied, the method can include initiating a closed-loop phase.

A BLDC motor and a method for starting and operating the motor. The motor has a rotor with exciter magnets, a stator with at least three stator coils, and a control and evaluation unit. The method carries out an initialization phase with a defined start time, initial starting field angle of the stator magnetic field and angle rising rate. A partial cycle is carried out with a rising phase that increases a current field angle with a change in voltage application to the stator coils. An analysis phase keeps the current field angle constant. The method continuously records a difference in current between two phase currents of a same direction of flow, the evaluation unit analyzes the recorded difference for the presence of a current eye. Immediate commutation takes place when a current eye is detected or where without detection after a pre-definable time interval has elapsed. The analysis phase is terminated after commutation is carried out. The partial cycle is repeatedly carried out until the final field angle has increased to a value of 360° to define a total cycle.

A BLDC motor and a method for starting and operating the motor. The motor has a rotor with exciter magnets, a stator with at least three stator coils, and a control and evaluation unit. The method carries out an initialization phase with a defined start time, initial starting field angle of the stator magnetic field and angle rising rate. A partial cycle is carried out with a rising phase that increases a current field angle with a change in voltage application to the stator coils. An analysis phase keeps the current field angle constant. The method continuously records a difference in current between two phase currents of a same direction of flow, the evaluation unit analyzes the recorded difference for the presence of a current eye. Immediate commutation takes place when a current eye is detected or where without detection after a pre-definable time interval has elapsed. The analysis phase is terminated after commutation is carried out. The partial cycle is repeatedly carried out until the final field angle has increased to a value of 360° to define a total cycle.

A method for starting a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor comprising a rotor and a stator comprising coils connected respectively to a plurality of phases and a conversion circuit connecting the plurality of phases to a power supply source in order to control the rotation of the rotor of the synchronous motor, the conversion circuit comprising a converter supplying power to a DC-AC converter comprising a plurality of controllable transistors for controlling the rotation of the rotor according to a plurality of successive control phases, the method comprising: ∘ a step of controlling the transistors of the DC-AC converter according to a control table associating each control phase with a configuration of the transistors so as to determine an acceleration ramp of the rotor of the motor, ∘ a step of determining an electrical angle A based on a predetermined acceleration ACC, and ∘ a step of determining a control phase change signal Q if the electrical angle A is greater than a predetermined threshold angle A.sub.seuil.

A motorized shade comprising a motor adapted to lower or raise a shade material for selectively covering an architectural opening based on a position of the sun. The motorized shade comprises a controller adapted to drive the motor phase according to a startup sequence by ramping up amplitude form an initial amplitude to a startup amplitude and ramping up frequency from an initial frequency to a drive frequency, drive the motor phase according to a full drive sequence to move the shade material by driving the motor phase according to a sinusoidal waveform at a set maximum amplitude and at a drive frequency, and drive the motor phase according to a wind down sequence by reducing frequency from the drive frequency to an end frequency and reducing the amplitude from the maximum amplitude to an end amplitude.

A motorized shade comprising a motor adapted to lower or raise a shade material for selectively covering an architectural opening based on a position of the sun. The motorized shade comprises a controller adapted to drive the motor phase according to a startup sequence by ramping up amplitude form an initial amplitude to a startup amplitude and ramping up frequency from an initial frequency to a drive frequency, drive the motor phase according to a full drive sequence to move the shade material by driving the motor phase according to a sinusoidal waveform at a set maximum amplitude and at a drive frequency, and drive the motor phase according to a wind down sequence by reducing frequency from the drive frequency to an end frequency and reducing the amplitude from the maximum amplitude to an end amplitude.

A motor controller integrated circuit (IC) includes a storage device containing software, and a processor core. The processor core has an output adapted to be coupled to a motor. The processor core is configured to execute the software to operate the motor in an open-loop control, calculate first and second orthogonal components of a back electromotive force (BEMF), calculate a total BEMF value, and determine that the first orthogonal component is within a threshold of the total BEMF value. The processor core is further configured to, responsive to the first orthogonal component being within the threshold of the total BEMF value, operate the motor in a closed-loop control.