A method for ascertaining a state variable of a magnetic actuator at a particular point in time. The method includes a step of reading in and a step of calculating. In the step of reading in, a first sensor value and at least one second sensor value are read in, the first sensor value representing a physical variable identical to that of the second sensor value, and the first sensor value having been detected after the second sensor value. In the step of calculating, the state variable is calculated using the first sensor value and the second sensor value as input variables to at least one approximation function.

A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise; adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

A method of controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil and a poppet includes energizing a first node to a first voltage, and coupling the first node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal having a frequency and a duty cycle configured to regulate a current conducted through the solenoid coil to below an opening threshold. The method further includes energizing a second node to a second voltage with energy stored in the solenoid coil, and coupling the second node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using a DC signal configured to increase the current to above the opening threshold. The method further includes coupling the first node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using the PWM signal having a frequency and duty cycle configured to regulate the current to above a closing threshold.

A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise; adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

A semiconductor device includes an output driving circuit configured to output an output current to an output terminal; a detection resistor connected between the output terminal and the output driving circuit; an amplification unit configured to output an analog detection signal generated by amplifying a voltage between both ends of the detection resistor; a current generation circuit configured to output a reference current; a reference resistor connected between the current generation circuit and a ground and configured to output a reference voltage according to the reference current; an A/D converter configured to convert the analog detection signal into a digital detection signal using the reference voltage as a reference; and a control circuit configured to control the output current output from the output driving circuit according to the digital detection signal. The detection resistor has a same temperature characteristics as the reference resistor.

Methods and systems are provided for a solenoid actuator. In one example, a method may include adjusting a switching frequency during an activation cycle of the solenoid actuator to a lower switching frequency relative to other phases of the activation cycle.

A switching apparatus for switching a first actuator and a second actuator between a power supply and a ground, including: a first switch for switching a first current path between the first actuator and the ground; a second switch for switching a second current path between the second actuator and the ground; and a third switch for switching a current path between the power supply and the first actuator and a current path between the power supply and the second actuator; in which, as a result of the switching, the third switch simultaneously closes or opens the current path to the first actuator and to the second actuator. Also described are a related brake system and method.

A current controller for controlling a current of a solenoid includes a drive unit configured to energize the solenoid with a predetermined energization period according to a drive signal, a signal output unit configured to generate and output the drive signal based on a target current for the solenoid, and a target setting unit that applies a dither amplitude to the target current such that the target current changes periodically with a dither period longer than the energization period. The target setting unit is configured to set the target current according to a positional relationship between a hydraulic pressure gentle curve region of the solenoid and a target stroke of the valve element corresponding to a target output hydraulic pressure.

A drive circuit for controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil and a poppet that translates therein is provided. The drive circuit includes a first node, a second node, a control circuit, and a flyback circuit. The first node is configured to be energized by a power source to a first voltage. The control circuit is coupled to the first and second nodes, and is configured to: (1) selectively couple the first and second nodes in series with the solenoid coil, and periodically energize the solenoid coil using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal having a frequency and a duty cycle configured to regulate a current conducted through the solenoid coil. The flyback circuit is coupled to the solenoid coil and configured to energize the second node to a second voltage with energy stored in the solenoid coil.

A current controller for controlling a current of a solenoid is applied to a solenoid valve with a self-regulating pressure function from a feedback force according to an output hydraulic pressure. The current controller includes a current detector configured to detect an actual current of the solenoid, a drive unit configured to energize the solenoid with a predetermined energization period according to a drive signal, a signal output unit that sets a duty ratio of the drive signal such that the actual current follows a target current, the signal output unit being configured to generate and output the drive signal, a target setting unit that applies a dither amplitude with a dither period longer than the energization period, and an oscillation determination unit that determines, based on a behavior of the actual current, whether excessive oscillation is occurring or is trending toward excessive oscillation.