BLDC Motor based system for data acquisition and control in orthotics

R. Antonova, M. Kalaidjieva, S. Karastanev

Abstract: This paper presents application of Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor based system for data acquisition and control in orthotics. BLDC motors are used in industries such as appliances, automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial automation equipment and instrumentation. They have many advantages over brushed DC motors and induction motors. Some of them are: better speed versus torque characteristics, high dynamic response, high efficiency, long operating life, noiseless operation, higher speed ranges. In addition, the ratio of torque delivered to the size of the motor is higher, making it useful in applications where space and weight are critical factors. This method use high precision quadrant encoder in addition to Hall sensors built in the BLDC motor to increase precision of measurement of angles and creates corrective moments if necessary. In same time the system allows data acquisition of parameters of human gait and transfers collected data by wireless connectivity to the analyzing software. Proposed network architecture allows connecting of multiple controllers in a system which provides capability for analyze and control of complex movements of more than one joint. In this study covers two aspects of the system: software and hardware realizations. The proposed method estimation can improve measurement accuracy and commutation smoothness.

Keywords: BLDC motor; data acquisition; Human gait; orthotics

Date published: 2013-12-09