Transducerless position determining system and method for the same

Abstract

A transducerless position determining system and method of using the same for determining the relative position of a mechanical member or component which is driven by an electric motor within an electromechanical system. The transducerless position determining system includes a microcontroller with a software model that simulates the acceleration, deceleration and velocity characteristics of the electric motor as a function of applied voltage thereto and the load characteristics of the electromechanical system. The applied voltage is sampled electronically to monitor its amplitude level, and microcontroller software and associated circuitry is used to accurately detect application and removal of the applied voltage to the electric motor. While taking into account the simulated acceleration and deceleration of the electric motor, the software model controls a software-based variable speed counter which increments and decrements relative to the direction of motor operation at a rate of speed proportional therewith. The proportional data generated by the variable speed counter correlates with the relative position of the movable component, and can be converted and scaled for appropriate display purposes. The system uses a predetermined reference position of the mechanical component within the electromechanical system to correlate re-synchronization of the software model for the electric motor.