Method and device for driving brushless motors either with independently coupled windings or with star or polygon pre-connected windings using the same i.c.

Abstract

A method is provided for driving a brushless motor of a type including windings pre-connected in a star or polygon configuration with an integrated driving system designed for independently driving the phase windings. The integrated driving system includes a plurality of output pins corresponding to the output nodes of as many half-bridge stages that are driven in pairs respectively by a direct or inverted driving signal at the same power level without overloading the output metal lines of the integrated device. Each supply terminal of the brushless motor is connected to one of the plurality of output pins of the integrated system relative to a first driving phase signal and to another output pin relative to a different driving phase signal. The drive circuit is internally configured through a plurality of integrated signal path selectors set in one or the other position depending upon the intended use of the integrated device. Further, the paths of the driving phase signals directed toward the inputs of the plurality of half-bridges driven in pairs are coherently crossed to the external connecting scheme of the windings of the motor.