A braking device for a movable door leaf comprises an electric braking motor to damp movement of the door leaf; a motor shaft coupleable with an axis of rotation of the door leaf; and a control unit to control the electric braking motor. A generator provides power to the control unit. A continuously variable transmission unit between the axis of rotation of the door leaf and either the motor shaft of the electric braking motor or the separate generator is controlled by a mechanical control such that the motor shaft of the electric braking motor and/or the separate generator, can be driven at a rotational speed independent of the rotational speed of the rotational axle of the door leaf. Also included is a door closer, having a rotatable door closer axis, coupleable with a door leaf, cooperating with a mechanical energy storage device, and a correspondingly designed braking device.

An opening-closing body control device for a vehicle includes: an opening-closing control unit configured to control an operation of an opening-closing body provided in an opening portion of a vehicle by controlling energization of a motor serving as a drive source. When the opening-closing body being moved based on a driving force of the motor is to be stopped, the opening-closing control unit sets a free running period during which free rotation of the motor is allowed, and executes brake control for generating a braking force in the motor after the free running period elapses.

An opening-closing body control device for a vehicle includes: an opening-closing control unit configured to control an operation of an opening-closing body provided in an opening portion of a vehicle by controlling energization of a motor serving as a drive source. When the opening-closing body being moved based on a driving force of the motor is to be stopped, the opening-closing control unit sets a free running period during which free rotation of the motor is allowed, and executes brake control for generating a braking force in the motor after the free running period elapses.

Energy saving and sustainability have become hot topics nowadays. Electric transportation applications, such as electric vehicles, always pursue higher energy efficiency other than applications with secured power sources. Therefore, lots of research and development work have been carried out to pursue the energy efficiency, such as redesign the motor itself and/or, use electronic techniques. This invention deploys electronic techniques to pursue higher efficiency. To prove the idea and solutions, 2 prototypes using 2-phase and 3-phase PMBLDC motors have been built for the purpose. They disclose the methods to catch the residual energy from an armature and send it back to the rechargeable power sources without affecting the motor's running driven by switching manner. The implementation is simple and cheap. By recycling the residual energy, it extends the run time of battery systems, achieving higher energy efficiency. The benefit is huge, but not limited to, in economical and environmental fields.

An open roof assembly for use in a vehicle roof of a vehicle comprises a moveably arranged closure member for selectively covering or at least partially exposing an opening in the vehicle roof, an electric motor operatively coupled to the closure member through a mechanical drive assembly for moving the closure member, an electric driving unit for providing a supply signal to the electric motor and a control unit operatively coupled to the electric driving unit for controlling operation of the electric motor. The electric driving unit comprises four switching devices in a bridged configuration and the control unit is configured to control a motion of the closure member by controlling operation of the switching devices, and to incur a safety stop during a motion of the closure member by an immediate reversal of a polarity of the supply signal.

There are described herein methods and systems for operating an electric motor of a watercraft. In one method, the electric motor of the watercraft is controlled based on commands received from an accelerator of the watercraft, a sensor signal is received from at least one sensor of the watercraft while the electric motor is in operation, the sensor signal indicative of an undesirable condition of a water intake of the watercraft, and a change is effected to the controlling of the electric motor in response to receiving the sensor signal.

There are described herein methods and systems for operating an electric motor of a watercraft. In one method, the electric motor of the watercraft is controlled based on commands received from an accelerator of the watercraft, a sensor signal is received from at least one sensor of the watercraft while the electric motor is in operation, the sensor signal indicative of an undesirable condition of a water intake of the watercraft, and a change is effected to the controlling of the electric motor in response to receiving the sensor signal.

A motor drive apparatus includes a converter; an inverter for drive; a power storage device configured to supply DC power to a direct current link or to store DC power from the direct current link; a power consumption estimation unit configured to acquire a power consumption estimation value which is an estimation value of a total power consumption at a time point later, by a predetermined time, than a value at a present time point, the total power consumption being obtained as a sum of an output of the servomotor for drive, a winding loss in the servomotor for drive, a loss in the converter and a loss in the inverter for drive; and a power storage device control unit configured to control power supply and power storage of the power storage device in accordance with the power consumption estimation value.

A motor drive apparatus includes a converter; an inverter for drive; a power storage device configured to supply DC power to a direct current link or to store DC power from the direct current link; a power consumption estimation unit configured to acquire a power consumption estimation value which is an estimation value of a total power consumption at a time point later, by a predetermined time, than a value at a present time point, the total power consumption being obtained as a sum of an output of the servomotor for drive, a winding loss in the servomotor for drive, a loss in the converter and a loss in the inverter for drive; and a power storage device control unit configured to control power supply and power storage of the power storage device in accordance with the power consumption estimation value.

A regenerative braking system includes a motor configured to rotate at a variable rotational speed in response to receiving power from a three-phase power supply, and a regenerative braking circuit in signal communication with the three-phase power supply to control the rotational speed of the motor. A brake controller is in signal communication with the regenerative braking circuit and is configured to selectively operate the regenerative braking circuit in a plurality of different braking modes based on the rotational speed of the motor.