A method of controlling a brushless permanent-magnet motor having a phase winding and a rotor, includes applying voltages of first and second opposing polarities to the phase winding when the rotor is oscillating about a parking position, measuring a plurality of first times, each first time including a time taken for current flowing through the phase winding in response to an applied voltage of the first polarity to exceed a threshold and measuring a plurality of second times, each second time including a time taken for current flowing through the phase winding in response to an applied voltage of the second polarity to exceed the threshold. The method includes determining which of an average magnitude of the plurality of first times and an average magnitude of the plurality of second times has the smaller average magnitude, and determining an amplitude peak of the plurality of times having the smaller average magnitude. The method includes using the amplitude peak to calculate a time window, setting a timer corresponding to the time window at a subsequent determined amplitude peak, and applying a drive voltage to the phase winding during the time window.

Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.

Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.

The invention relates to a soft starter (10) for connecting at least one main circuit (12, 14, 16), each of which includes a bypass circuit (20) having a semiconductor switch (22). Said soft starter (10) comprises a control unit (40) for actuating the bypass circuit (20), and the control unit (40) is equipped with a control signal input (44). According to the invention, the control unit (40) has a separate safety signal input (42).

The invention relates to a soft starter (10) for connecting at least one main circuit (12, 14, 16), each of which includes a bypass circuit (20) having a semiconductor switch (22). Said soft starter (10) comprises a control unit (40) for actuating the bypass circuit (20), and the control unit (40) is equipped with a control signal input (44). According to the invention, the control unit (40) has a separate safety signal input (42).

Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.

Controllers for controlling hybrid motor drive circuits configured to drive a motor are provided herein. A controller is configured to drive the motor using an inverter when a motor commanded frequency is not within a predetermined range of line input power frequencies, and couple line input power to an output of the inverter using a first switch device when the motor commanded frequency is within the predetermined range of line input power frequencies.

A drive control unit that performs vector control of a synchronous motor determines reference phase angles of 3-phase/DQ converters, and a DQ/3-phase converter. When speed of a synchronous motor is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the reference phase angle is obtained by adding a correction angle such that D-axis voltage feedback output from 3-phase/DQ converter becomes zero to the detection angle of a position detector. And when the speed of the synchronous motor is less than a predetermined threshold value, the reference phase angle is obtained by adding a low speed load angle set in advance to the detection angle of the position detector. In a vector control operation, a power factor is achieved by controlling the D-axis current to be zero.

A drive control unit that performs vector control of a synchronous motor determines reference phase angles of 3-phase/DQ converters, and a DQ/3-phase converter. When speed of a synchronous motor is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the reference phase angle is obtained by adding a correction angle such that D-axis voltage feedback output from 3-phase/DQ converter becomes zero to the detection angle of a position detector. And when the speed of the synchronous motor is less than a predetermined threshold value, the reference phase angle is obtained by adding a low speed load angle set in advance to the detection angle of the position detector. In a vector control operation, a power factor is achieved by controlling the D-axis current to be zero.

Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.