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h-bridge circuit question (newbie) — Parallax Forums

h-bridge circuit question (newbie)

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-08-14 04:34 in General Discussion
I'd like to build an h-bridge out of discrete components to control a
bipolar stepper motor with a BS1. I found a schematic on the net
that meets my specs at:

http://www.bobblick.com/techref/projects/hbridge/hbridge.html

I realize that I will need two of these to control the stepper, and
that is fine. I understand the purpose of the h-bridge, but I can't
seem to make sense of *why* this particular circuit works. I think
I'm getting tangled up with the PNP TIP's and the fact that the
collectors are common.

If anyone has time to take a look and maybe point me in the right
direction to better understand, I would appreciate it. I've already
read virtually every web tutorial on transistors -- but they're a
little lite on PNP's.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-13 22:50
    In a message dated 8/13/2003 2:24:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
    rrothe@m... writes:

    > I'd like to build an h-bridge out of discrete components to control a
    > bipolar stepper motor with a BS1. I found a schematic on the net
    > that meets my specs at:
    >
    > http://www.bobblick.com/techref/projects/hbridge/hbridge.html
    >
    > I realize that I will need two of these to control the stepper, and
    > that is fine. I understand the purpose of the h-bridge, but I can't
    > seem to make sense of *why* this particular circuit works. I think
    > I'm getting tangled up with the PNP TIP's and the fact that the
    > collectors are common.
    >
    > If anyone has time to take a look and maybe point me in the right
    > direction to better understand, I would appreciate it. I've already
    > read virtually every web tutorial on transistors -- but they're a
    > little lite on PNP's.
    >
    > Thanks in advance.
    >
    > Rob
    >
    >
    >
    >

    Rob,

    When the circuit works properly, only two transistors are on at one time. The
    two on will be Q1 & Q4, or Q2 & Q3.

    The PNP's will supply + voltage, and the NPN's supply a ground path.

    When one pair is on (Q1 Q4),the motor will spin one direction due to the + -
    polarity. When the other pair of transistors is on (Q2 Q3) the polarity of the
    motor is reversed, making it spin the opposite direction.......

    If I did not explain well enough, give me a phone number and a good time to
    call.

    Ken


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-13 22:51
    In a message dated 8/13/2003 2:24:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
    rrothe@m... writes:

    >
    > I'd like to build an h-bridge out of discrete components to control a
    > bipolar stepper motor with a BS1. I found a schematic on the net
    > that meets my specs at:
    >
    > http://www.bobblick.com/techref/projects/hbridge/hbridge.html
    >
    > I realize that I will need two of these to control the stepper, and
    > that is fine. I understand the purpose of the h-bridge, but I can't
    > seem to make sense of *why* this particular circuit works. I think
    > I'm getting tangled up with the PNP TIP's and the fact that the
    > collectors are common.
    >
    > If anyone has time to take a look and maybe point me in the right
    > direction to better understand, I would appreciate it. I've already
    > read virtually every web tutorial on transistors -- but they're a
    > little lite on PNP's.
    >
    > Thanks in advance.
    >
    > Rob
    >
    >

    Also. ,motor A & motor B designates the terminals on the SAME
    motor.......terminal A and termial B.....


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-14 04:34
    Awhile ago I corresponded with Bob about this circuit, and he
    was kind enough to send me the following...

    > Hi Jack,
    >
    > The darlington power transistors Q1,2,3 and 4 have internal pinch-off
    > resistors, so they turn off and stay off naturally. They also have
    > internal
    > diodes emitter-collector, that act as freewheel diodes in this
    > circuit. It
    > simplifies things, because those parts would have to be added if
    > regular
    > transistors were used.
    >
    > To make the motor go in one direction, turning on Q1 and Q4 will put
    > positive to motor A and negative to motor B. Transistor Q5 does this,
    > so if
    > you apply a logic-level(5 volts or less) to control a, that's what
    > happens.
    > If you activate control b, Q6 turns on Q2 and Q3 and the motor runs
    > in the
    > other direction. The lower transistors Q7 and Q8 prevent short
    > circuits
    > from occurring if both control a and b are activated simultaneously,
    > by
    > removing the drive from Q3 and Q4. The side benefit from this is that
    > if
    > both control a and b are activated, the top darlingtons Q1 and Q2 are
    > on,
    > and short the motor, effectively slowing the motor(electrical
    > braking).
    >
    > Hope that answers your questions!
    >
    > Cheerful regards,
    > Bob
    >
    > At 03:21 PM 7/2/98 -0700, you wrote:
    > >Hi Bob
    > >
    > >Wonder if you have time for a brief explanation of how your
    > >H-bridge circuit works?
    > >Certainly understand if you're too busy - I may have to
    > >build it to figure it out otherwise, although I try to do
    > >it the other way round.
    > >I enjoy your stuff. Thanks.
    > >
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