A stepping motor control device is provided with a stopping position determination section and a drive control section. The stopping position determination section determines whether a mover stopping position during the holding state is a stabilized phase or a semistable phase. When it is determined that the mover stopping position is a semistable phase during the holding state by the stopping position determination section, and the control state of the stepping motor transitions from the holding state to the standby state in which the holding of the mover is released due to a trigger signal from a device or the holding state persisting for a fixed time, the drive control section changes the mover stopping position to one of the stabilized phases adjacent to the mover stopping position during the holding state.

A control device for a stepping motor capable of suppressing a level of sound generated in association with driving of the motor is provided. The control device for a stepping motor is configured to, from when the hold period is started (t10) until the hold period ends (t12), gradually increase an absolute value of the excitation current in the A phase such that the amount of change in the excitation current per unit time is smaller than or equal to a first predetermined value. From when the hold period is started (t10) until a predetermined time elapses (t11), an absolute value of the excitation current in the B phase is gradually increased such that the amount of change in the excitation current per unit time is smaller than or equal to the first predetermined value. By the time the hold period ends (t12) after the predetermined time has elapsed (t11), the excitation current in the B phase is caused to reach zero. When the hold period ends (t12), one-phase excitation operation of the stepping motor is started such that the excitation current flows in the one phase first with the same polarity as at the end of the hold period.

A light assembly for producing scenographic effects comprising: at least one movable member; at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one movable member; at least one driving circuit, configured to drive the at least one electric motor and having a driving outlet connected to the electric motor; a driving inlet connected to the driving circuit to provide electric power and comprising a first driving terminal and a second driving terminal; and a supply inlet configured to receive electric power from an electric power supply; and a braking system configured to restrain unwanted movements of the movable member and comprising a switch having a first switching terminal and a second switching terminal respectively connected to the first driving terminal and to the second driving terminal; wherein the switch is configured to switch between a first operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are disconnected; and a second operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are connected.

A light assembly for producing scenographic effects comprising: at least one movable member; at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one movable member; at least one driving circuit, configured to drive the at least one electric motor and having a driving outlet connected to the electric motor; a driving inlet connected to the driving circuit to provide electric power and comprising a first driving terminal and a second driving terminal; and a supply inlet configured to receive electric power from an electric power supply; and a braking system configured to restrain unwanted movements of the movable member and comprising a switch having a first switching terminal and a second switching terminal respectively connected to the first driving terminal and to the second driving terminal; wherein the switch is configured to switch between a first operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are disconnected; and a second operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are connected.

A method and a circuit arrangement is described by means of which a stepper motor can be operated by an adaptive control over a large rotational speed range, including a standstill, in which the motor is electrically fixed in a specific rotational position, and with high precision and running smoothness corresponding to a specified motor current course. This is achieved essentially by the fact that the motor is operated in a low rotational speed range including a standstill with a voltage-controlled or voltage-regulated first operating mode and in a higher or high rotational speed range with a current-controlled second operating mode.

A contact-and-separation system includes a first roller, a second roller, and a contact-and-separation device. The first roller contacts a belt. The second roller is opposed to the first roller. The contact-and-separation device contacts or separates the belt to or from the second roller via a sheet conveyed. The contact-and-separation device includes an eccentric cam, a motor, and a circuitry. The eccentric cam is mounted on an end of a rotation shaft of the first roller. The motor rotates the eccentric cam. The circuitry controls the motor to rotate the eccentric cam to contact or separate the belt to or from the second roller via the sheet conveyed. The circuitry controls the motor to decelerate a rotation speed of the motor on contact or separation of the belt to or from the second roller between the first roller and the second roller.

A contact-and-separation system includes a first roller, a second roller, and a contact-and-separation device. The first roller contacts a belt. The second roller is opposed to the first roller. The contact-and-separation device contacts or separates the belt to or from the second roller via a sheet conveyed. The contact-and-separation device includes an eccentric cam, a motor, and a circuitry. The eccentric cam is mounted on an end of a rotation shaft of the first roller. The motor rotates the eccentric cam. The circuitry controls the motor to rotate the eccentric cam to contact or separate the belt to or from the second roller via the sheet conveyed. The circuitry controls the motor to decelerate a rotation speed of the motor on contact or separation of the belt to or from the second roller between the first roller and the second roller.

A method and a circuit arrangement is described by means of which a stepper motor can be operated by an adaptive control over a large rotational speed range, including a standstill, in which the motor is electrically fixed in a specific rotational position, and with high precision and running smoothness corresponding to a specified motor current course. This is achieved essentially by the fact that the motor is operated in a low rotational speed range including a standstill with a voltage-controlled or voltage-regulated first operating mode and in a higher or high rotational speed range with a current-controlled second operating mode.

A light assembly for producing scenographic effects comprising: at least one movable member; at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one movable member; at least one driving circuit, configured to drive the at least one electric motor and having a driving outlet connected to the electric motor; a driving inlet connected to the driving circuit to provide electric power and comprising a first driving terminal and a second driving terminal; and a supply inlet configured to receive electric power from an electric power supply; and a braking system configured to restrain unwanted movements of the movable member and comprising a switch having a first switching terminal and a second switching terminal respectively connected to the first driving terminal and to the second driving terminal; wherein the switch is configured to switch between a first operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are disconnected; and a second operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are connected.