SLVAE59A February   2019  – April 2022 DRV8242-Q1 , DRV8243-Q1 , DRV8244-Q1 , DRV8245-Q1 , DRV8343-Q1 , DRV8702-Q1 , DRV8702D-Q1 , DRV8703-Q1 , DRV8703D-Q1 , DRV8803 , DRV8804 , DRV8805 , DRV8806 , DRV8860 , DRV8873 , DRV8873-Q1 , DRV8874 , DRV8874-Q1 , DRV8876 , DRV8876-Q1 , DRV8935 , DRV8955

 

  1.   Trademarks
  2. 1Introduction
    1. 1.1 Types of Solenoids
  3. 2Solenoid Driving Typologies
    1. 2.1 Low-Side and High-Side Configuration
    2. 2.2 Half-Bridge and H-Bridge Driver Configurations
  4. 3Basics of Driving Solenoid Loads
    1. 3.1 Current Control
    2. 3.2 Fast Discharging Circuits
      1. 3.2.1 Freewheeling and Clamping
      2. 3.2.2 Passive Voltage Clamping
  5. 4DRV Motor Driver Features for Solenoid Driving
    1. 4.1 Current Sensing and Regulation Solutions
    2. 4.2 Independent Low-/High-Side Driving
    3. 4.3 Half-Bridge Driving
    4. 4.4 Integrated and Gate Driver H-Bridges
  6. 5Summary
  7. 6Revision History

1.1 Types of Solenoids

There are three main categories of solenoids; push/pull, latching/bistable, and proportional.

The first type, push/pull or monostable, is used to displace an object by energizing and de-energizing the coil, or where "in and out" movement is needed. Push/pull solenoid is made up of an iron frame, iron plunger, copper coil, and return spring. Figure 1-1 shows a cross-sectional view of a pull-type solenoid. This type of solenoid can be found in applications such as electronic door locks, valves, and robotics.

Figure 1-1 Cross-Sectional View of a Push/Pull Solenoid

The second type is the latching/bistable solenoid. The latching/bistable is similar in use to the push/pull, but the latching solenoid can maintain its position after power is off. When off, the position of latching solenoid is maintained by a permanent magnet, as opposed to a spring for push/pull solenoid. Energizing the coil with a pulse of current will change the position of the solenoid.

Proportional solenoids are solenoids that generate a force proportional to the current flowing through it, as opposed to solenoids changing between two positions or states. By adding a spring, the solenoid can generate a displacement which is proportional to current. In applications such as hydraulics, these solenoids can also be constructed with an air gap, so that fluid pressure does not affect force characteristics of the solenoid. This allows for very fine force and positioning control.