Engine Components for Traditional Car DC Motors
In a recent development, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corp. has introduced the TB9M001FTG, a smart motor control driver designed for efficient and accurate control of brushed DC motors in automotive applications.
Features of the TB9M001FTG
The TB9M001FTG includes a host of features such as:
- 32-bit compare timers
- A 28-bit capture timer
- Watchdog timer
- Power-saving modes
- 4 legacy PWM generators
- 14 general-purpose I/O ports
- A 10-bit analog-to-digital converter
The device also features a built-in microcontroller with an Arm Cortex-M0 core, 192 kB of program flash memory, and a LIN ISO17987/SAEJ2602 transceiver + controller.
Operational Details
The driver operates from a single power supply between 6.0 and 18 V, and its specified for a junction temperature of −40 up to 150°C. The two high-side drivers support 5- and 12-V loads to external components, and a fully integrated power-management system generates all required voltage levels from the car battery.
Integration of Brushed DC Motors with Modern Vehicle Systems
Brushed DC motors are still widely used in modern vehicles primarily for body and safety applications such as power seat modules, power closure systems, window lifts, sunroofs, mirror adjustment modules, wipers, electronic parking brakes, and electronic seatbelt pre-tensioners. They are favored in these roles because they are easy to control, provide good torque control down to zero speed, and typically have short operating durations in these actuator-type uses.
Motor drivers enhance brushed DC motor performance and connectivity by providing highly integrated and protected control solutions. Modern brushed DC motor driver ICs, like Infineon’s MOTIX™ series, offer features such as:
- Integrated gate drivers and MOSFETs with advanced protection (overcurrent, thermal, undervoltage)
- High-performance torque and speed control including smooth startup and braking
- Diagnostic feedback and fault reporting for system reliability and vehicle safety
- Integration of power supply and communication interfaces enabling connectivity with vehicle control units
- System-on-chip (SoC) solutions combining microcontroller units with motor drivers for compact, efficient control and real-time adjustments
These enhancements improve efficiency, reduce maintenance via protection against motor faults, enable precise control, and facilitate communication and integration within vehicle electronic networks, critical for modern automotive systems.
The TB9M001FTG and Brushed DC Motors
The TB9M001FTG integrates four low-side drivers that function as relay drivers, enabling forward and reverse control of two brushed DC motors. By pairing brushed motors with a smart driver like the TB9M001FTG, these motors can be precisely controlled and monitored for problems while providing power-efficient operation.
The TB9M001FTG has been AEC-Q100 (Grade 1) qualified and meets ASIL A requirements, making it suitable for use in automotive applications.
Conclusion
Brushed DC motors, despite the growing use of brushless DC motors in high-demand applications, remain important in automotive body and safety-related actuators. Advances in motor driver ICs significantly enhance their control precision, protection, connectivity, and integration into vehicle electronic systems, extending their viability. The TB9M001FTG from Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corp. is a prime example of this evolution, offering a highly integrated solution for efficient and accurate control of brushed DC motors in automotive applications.
[1] Design Article on Brushed DC Motors for Medical Infusion Pumps [4] Comprehensive 38-page Datasheet of TB9M001FTG [5] Detailed Analysis of Brushed DC Motors in Modern Vehicles
- The TB9M001FTG, a smart motor control driver from Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corp., can be paired with brushed DC motors to provide precise control and monitor potential issues while ensuring power-efficient operation.
- In modern vehicles, brushed DC motors, favored for body and safety applications due to their easy control and good torque control, are enhanced in performance and connectivity by advanced motor driver ICs like the TB9M001FTG, which offer features such as integrated gate drivers, high-performance torque and speed control, and diagnostic feedback.
