Electronically commutated motor, method of operating such, control circuit, laundry machine and drive therefor

摘要

An electronically commutated motor for energization by DC in both a high speed mode and a low speed mode at a current not significantly greater than a preselected level. The motor stator has a plurality of winding stages each with a plurality of winding turns only a first portion of which is commutated in a first sequence in a high speed mode and a predeterminately greater portion of which is commutated in a second sequence different from the first when the motor is energized in the low speed mode. A permanent magnet rotor is rotatably driven in one direction in the high speed mode so as to develop a first torque at the preselected current level when only the first portion of the winding turns of the winding stages are commutated in the first preselected sequence. In response to commutation in the second sequence of the predeterminately greater portion of the winding turns the rotor is rotatably driven alternately in opposite directions in the low speed mode so as to develop a second torque predeterminately greater than the first torque at a current not significantly greater than the preselected level. A method of operating such motor, a control circuit therefor and the use of such a motor in laundry machines and drives therefor are also disclosed.