ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROLLER
MODEL 1222
DESCRIPTION
The Curtis Model 1222 is an AC induction motor controller
for ‘steer by wire’ electric power steering systems. In these
systems, the steering motor functions as an actuator to change
the angle of the vehicle’s steered wheel(s) and so change the
direction of travel. The Model 1222 performs as the steering
system controller, interpreting the steering command input and
wheel position feedback, then driving the steering motor to
move the steered wheel to the desired position.
APPLICATION
Designed for 300–1500W AC induction gearmotors.
Intended applications are material handling vehicles such as
reach trucks, order pickers, stackers, ‘man up’ warehouse
trucks and other similar industrial vehicles.
www.curtisinstruments.com
FEATURES
Advanced Motor Control
• Absolute Position (pedestrian stacker) or Relative Position
(reach truck) control modes.
• Supports >360° multi-turn steering mode.
• Indirect Field Orientation (IFO) vector control algorithm
provides maximum possible torque while ensuring
maximum efficiency and accurate current control.
• 16 kHz PWM switching frequency ensures silent operation
across the 0–200 Hz stator frequency range.
• Advanced PWM techniques produce low motor harmonics,
low torque ripple, and minimized heating losses, resulting
in high efficiency.
• 70A RMS 2 minute current output.
• 24–48V nominal supply voltage.
Versatile Steering Input and Feedback Options
• Steering command input via CAN, dual redundant
quadrature encoder, Sin/Cosine sensor, Sawtooth and
Analog inputs.
• Steered angle feedback via dual redundant homing switch,
quadrature encoder, Sin/Cosine, Sawtooth or Analog
voltage inputs.
• Fully programmable input/output ratio mapping functions.
• Configurable homing methods, center offset, auto-center
and end-stop protection functions.
• Programmable force feedback driver for command input
devices featuring variable friction tactile feedback (TFD).
Maximum Safety
• Dual redundant configuration of all safety relevant parts.
• Two microprocessors, each with its own separate
EEPROM memory.
• Separate input paths to each micro for all input and
feedback signals.
• 5A high-side fault output driver consists of 2 switches
connected in series, each switch controlled by one micro
with independent supervision.
• Meets the requirements of the latest international functional
safety standards.
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MODEL 1222

FEATURES continued Robust Reliability

Unmatched Flexibility • Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS) powerbase ensures superior

• CANopen system communications.
• 35-pin AMPseal logic connector.
• Software includes a library of over 20 pre-defined AC steering
motor types from various manufacturers.
• Programmable motor temperature input prevents thermal
damage to motor and supports all commonly used thermistors.
• Integrated hour meter and diagnostic log functions.
• +5V and +10V low-power supplies for input sensors, etc.
• Curtis handheld and PC Windows programming tools provide
easy programming and powerful system diagnostic and
monitoring tools.
• Integrated status LED provides instant diagnostic indication.
• Field upgradeable software.
heat transfer.
• Intelligent thermal cutback, and overvoltage/undervoltage
protection functions maintain steering while reducing traction
speed until severe over/under limits are reached.
• Rugged sealed housing and AMPseal connector for use in
harsh environments.
• Reverse polarity protection on battery connections and short
circuit protection on all output drivers.
Meets or complies with relevant US
and International Regulations
• EMC: Designed to the requirements of EN12895.
• Safety: Designed to the requirements of
EN1175-1:1998+A1:2010 (EN ISO13849-1).
• IP65 rated per IEC529.
• UL recognized per UL583.
• Regulatory compliance of the complete vehicle system with the
controller installed is the responsibility of the vehicle OEM.

FUNCTIONAL SAFETY

Safety Function PL Designated Architecture MTTFd DC

Prevention of unintended
d Category 3 ≥13 yrs ≥90%
steering or loss of steering

MODEL CHART

Model No. Battery Voltage 2 Minute RMS 1 Hour RMS

(V) Current Rating (Arms) Current Rating (Arms)

1222–51XX 24–48 70 30

SYSTEM ACCESSORIES

Curtis AC motor speed controllers provide
highly efficient control of AC induction
motors performing traction drive or
hydraulic pump duties, and offer the
highest levels of functional safety.
Curtis steering command units are tough
compact, and integrate seamlessly with
the Model 1222 steering controller.
Versions with constant or variable
steering friction are available.
The Curtis Model 1313 Handheld
Programmer is ideal for setting
parameters and performing
diagnostic functions.

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 MODEL 1222

TYPICAL WIRING DIAGRAM

Fault Output J1-24

J1-9 Interlock Input 1

CONTACTOR

EM BRAKE
TRACTION
INTERLOCK SWITCH

MAIN
J1-11 Interlock Input 3
J1-6
N.O. J1-10 Home Input 2 J1-23 J1-23 CURTIS
† CAN High AC J1-5
N.C. J1-12 J1-35 J1-35 TRACTION
Home Input 4 † CAN Low CONTROLLER J1-9
HOMING SWITCH
J1-1 Keyswitch
J1-13
J1-1

J1-13 † An external 120Ω resistor may

Coil Return J1-13 be required at the 1222 end of
FEEDBACK

Coil Return the CAN bus.

FORCE

CONTACTOR
COIL

STEER
J1-5
Force Feedback Driver J1-2
Contactor Driver
J1-21 +5V
B+
J1-8 Command Analog 1 KEYSWITCH
STEER
CONTACTOR EMERGENCY
STOP
J1-19 Command Analog 3
J1-18 Ground
STEER COMMAND BATTERY
POTS * (24–48V)

J1-21
+5V B-
STEER J1-14 Command Encoder 1A
COMMAND J1-25 Command Encoder 1B
ENCODER 1 J1-33 Motor Temp Sensor J1-22
and Command Encoder 2A
ENCODER 2 J1-20 Command Encoder 2B J1-34
+5V
* J1-18
Ground Steer Motor Encoder 3A J1-31 STEER MOTOR
Steer Motor Encoder 3B
J1-32 ENCODER 3
* Mutually exclusive; J1-26 and
Steer Motor Encoder 4A ENCODER 4
use either pots or encoders.
Steer Motor Encoder 4B
J1-27
**
Ground
J1-30
J1-3 Reserved
U

TEMPERATURE
J1-4 Reserved AC

SENSOR
MOTOR
J1-6 V STEER
Reserved MOTOR
W
4 J1-15 +10V
+5V
J1-34
3 J1-28
SERIAL

SERIAL PORT TX
Position Analog 5
J1-16 POSITION
(4-pin Molex) 1 J1-29 J1-17 FEEDBACK
RX Position Analog 6 POTS
2 J1-7 Ground **
Ground
J1-7

** Encoder 4 is not used if

the feedback pots are used.

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MODEL 1222

CONNECTOR WIRING
FAULT
+5V ENC 3B GND TX ENC 4A DRIVER
COIL
CAN H +5V ANA3 ANA6 +10V RETURN

CAN L ENC 2A ENC 3A RX ENC 4B ENC 1B

35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24

23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

SW2 ENC GND NC ENC

2B 1A

SW4 MOTOR ANA1 NC ANA5 CONT

TEMP DRIVER
SW3 SW1 GND FORCE NC KSI
FEEDBACK
DRIVER

DIMENSIONS mm
M6 X 1.0
5 plcs 59.4

6.5 X 7.5
4 plcs

146 129
164

Status LEDs

8.5 148 8
10
164 59.2

W A R R A N T Y Two year limited warranty from time of delivery.

is a trademark of Curtis Instruments, Inc. Specifications subject to change without notice ©2012 Curtis Instruments, Inc. 50151 REV G 12/12
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