ROHM has launched two new motor driver integrated circuits aimed at broadening the range of applications for brushed DC motors in consumer and industrial equipment, as manufacturers seek greater energy efficiency and design flexibility.
The Japanese semiconductor group said the new devices, the BD60210FV and the BD64950EFJ, are designed for use in home and office appliances including refrigerators, air conditioners, printers, and robotic vacuum cleaners. The products are now in mass production, with online sales under way.
Demand for brushed DC motors has risen alongside the electrification of consumer and industrial equipment, particularly in so-called white goods. This trend has increased pressure on component suppliers to deliver motor drivers that are energy efficient, adaptable across multiple applications, and compact enough to reduce overall system size and complexity.
ROHM said the new drivers address these requirements by using highly versatile packages suitable for both new platform designs and redesigns of existing products. Both devices feature ultra-low standby current, with typical consumption of 0.0µA and a maximum of 1.0µA, helping to cut power use when equipment is idle.
The BD60210FV is a dual-channel device that can operate as a two-channel H-bridge motor driver with direct pulse-width modulation control. It can drive two brushed DC motors, a bipolar stepper motor, or solenoids. By using an H-bridge configuration that does not require a boost circuit, the chip reduces the need for external components, supporting more compact designs. It operates with input voltages from 8V to 18V and supports a continuous current of 1A per phase, with peak current of up to 4A per phase.
The BD64950EFJ, by contrast, is a single-channel H-bridge driver that supports both direct PWM control and constant current PWM control. Its low on-resistance design reduces heat generation, improving efficiency. With a withstand voltage of 40V and a continuous current rating of 3.5A, rising to 6A at peak, it is aimed at higher-power brushed DC motor applications, including 24V systems.
ROHM said the devices could be used across a wide range of consumer products, from refrigerator ice makers and air-conditioner louvers to printer carriages, robotic vacuum cleaner brushes, water heaters, rice cookers, and humidifier fans. Industrial uses include automatic doors and shutters, small conveyors, power tools, and other compact motor-driven systems.
Evaluation boards for both products are also available to support development and system design. The company said it would continue to expand its motor drive portfolio as it seeks to support energy savings and improved performance across consumer and industrial markets.
