Status detection circuit and remotely operable switch

Abstract

To provide an improved state detection circuit that consumes less current and has improved reliability.SOLUTION: A state detection circuit includes a Hall sensor circuit between a voltage regulator and an output switch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a state detection circuit for, for example, a remotely operable switch, and to a remotely operable switch equipped with a corresponding state detection circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] A remotely operable switch is a circuit element that can establish electrical contact between electrodes on demand, or break the electrical connection between electrodes on demand, thus allowing the switching state to be controlled remotely.

[0003] Relays or power contactors may provide such remotely operable switches.

[0004] To control the function, it is generally desirable to not only control the switching state but also to output the switching state, for example to detect the difference between the switching actual state and the switching setpoint state in the event of a fault.

[0005] From WO 2017 / 129823 A1 a relay is known which has reed contacts intended to be able to transmit the switching state of the relay to an external circuit environment.

[0006] From WO 2020 / 043515 A1 a power contactor is known which has a Hall switch in its circuit for transmitting the actual switching state.

[0007] Remotely operable switches, such as power contactors, generally comprise a control circuit that can switch a load circuit on or off. One possible application for such contactors is to establish or break the electrical connection between the battery and the electric motor, for example in an electric vehicle. Thus, power contactors can have the function of a safety component, particularly at high voltages, such as 450 V, that can disconnect the power supply and the load, i.e., the battery and the electric motor, in the event of a corresponding fault.

[0008] For example, the remotely operable switches known from the above-mentioned publications are usually suitable for an operating voltage of 5 V. Furthermore, they have a relatively high current consumption. Furthermore, there is a risk of damage to the electronics in the event of reverse polarity of the connecting lines. Furthermore, electrostatic charges and overvoltage pulses can destroy the electronics.

[0009] Furthermore, reed contacts are a simple solution for outputting the switching state, but their reliability can be improved, especially in the presence of external magnetic fields.

[0010] The known remotely operable switches with Hall switches have the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0011] Therefore, it is desirable to improve the reliability of switching state detection circuits. In particular, it is desirable to have a state detection circuit and corresponding remotely operable switch that has improved reliability without the need to specially adapt the external circuit environment to the improved remotely actuatable switch. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a remotely actuatable switch that consumes reduced current. Summary of the Invention

[0012] For this purpose, a state detection circuit or a remotely operable switch comprising a state detection circuit is provided according to independent claim 1 and the equivalent claims. The dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments.

[0013] The state detection circuit includes a Hall sensor circuit having a Hall sensor, a voltage regulator, and an output switch, and the Hall sensor circuit is connected between the voltage regulator and the output switch.

[0014] This circuit configuration of the Hall sensor circuit, voltage regulator, and output switch allows for a state detection circuit that can operate at a wide range of voltages, not just 5V. Furthermore, current consumption is significantly reduced compared to known state detection circuits. While the state detection circuit of WO2020 / 043515A1 consumes a maximum current of 20mA, the state detection circuit of the present invention can consume a maximum current of 5mA or less, for example, 2.4mA.

[0015] Via a voltage regulator, an external supply voltage can power the state detection circuit. The output switch can be used, for example, to communicate the switching state of an associated remotely operable switch to an external circuit environment.

[0016] Furthermore, the reverse polarity safety of the electronic circuitry of the state detection circuit is improved, and the connecting lines can be configured in such a way that they are not damaged in the event of an incorrect connection to the external circuit environment.

[0017] It is also possible to configure sensitive components in the state detection circuitry so that static electricity and overvoltage pulses do not destroy the electronic equipment.

[0018] The state detection circuit shown above is fundamentally different from the detection circuit known from WO 2020 / 043515 A1, which discloses a state detection circuit in which an operational amplifier 203 is connected between a Hall sensor 19 and a semiconductor switch 207, as shown in FIG.

[0019] In contrast, the above-described state detection circuit specifies a configuration in which a Hall sensor, which is part of a Hall circuit, is connected between the voltage regulator and the output switch.

[0020] Furthermore, the detection circuit of WO2020 / 043515A1 does not have anything equivalent to the voltage regulator of the state detection circuit of the present invention, and the above-mentioned state detection circuit does not have anything equivalent to the operational amplifier 203 of WO2020 / 043515A1. Therefore, the circuit topology of the above-mentioned state detection circuit is fundamentally different from that of the detection circuit of WO2020 / 043515A1.

[0021] As described above, the state detection circuit can operate over a wide range of supply voltages, making it universally applicable. Therefore, it can replace a conventional detection circuit to improve the corresponding remotely controlled switch and reduce its current consumption without additional development efforts. The supply voltage range can be, for example, from 4 V to 36 V.

[0022] The Hall sensor may provide a binary output signal.

[0023] A circuit configuration including a Hall sensor circuit between the voltage regulator and the output switch allows for the use of an element that generates a binary output signal as the Hall sensor. The Hall sensor in WO 2020 / 043515 A1 is designed to output a current of 5 to 7 mA for one switching state. To indicate the other switching state, the Hall sensor outputs a current of 12 to 17 mA. Thus, while the Hall sensor in WO 2020 / 043515 A1 is a current source with a relatively high current consumption, the binary output signal of the Hall sensor provided by the state detection circuit of the present invention is easily evaluated by subsequent circuit elements, allowing for lower energy consumption.

[0024] It is also possible for the state detection circuit to further comprise an output connection, and an output switch is provided, of course correspondingly adapted, to provide the switching state of the remotely operable switch depending on the magnetic environment of the Hall sensor of the output connection.

[0025] Hall sensors utilize the Hall effect, ie, detect the magnetic environment of the Hall sensor.

[0026] Remotely operable switches, such as relays or power contactors, generally have a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrical conductor whose position can be changed within the remotely operable switch. In particular, the electrical conductor can be mechanically contacted with two electrodes to electrically connect them, and can be mechanically disconnected from at least one of the electrodes to disconnect the electrical connection between them. A magnet can be mechanically connected to the electrical conductors of the remotely operable switch, and the magnet changes its position in response to the electrical conductors, depending on the switching state. The Hall sensor is preferably fixedly positioned relative to the remotely operable switch, and a change in the switching state changes the distance between the magnet and the sensitive area of ​​the Hall sensor. Thus, when the remotely operable switch is activated, the magnetic environment of the Hall sensor changes. In this way, information corresponding to the switching state of the associated remotely operable switch can be provided to an external circuit environment at the output connection of a state detection circuit.

[0027] The use of Hall sensors has the advantage that they operate without mechanical wear, increasing the reliability and service life of the condition detection circuit.

[0028] The condition detection circuit may further comprise a supply connection and a ground connection.

[0029] Via the supply connection, the state detection circuit can be supplied with a supply voltage, and via the ground connection, the state detection circuit can be connected to the ground potential of the external circuit environment.

[0030] The configuration of the state detection circuit with the Hall sensor circuit between the voltage regulator and the output switch allows the supply connections to be adapted to accept a wide range of supply voltages for proper functioning. Any voltage between 4V and 36V may be sufficient as an acceptable supply voltage for operating the state detection circuit.

[0031] The Hall sensor may be connected to three different lines in the Hall sensor circuit.

[0032] Thus, the configuration in which the Hall sensor is connected to three different lines of the Hall sensor circuit represents a circuit environment for the Hall sensor that is significantly different from the circuit environment around the Hall sensor in WO2020 / 043515A1. Figure 3B of WO2020 / 043515A1 clearly shows that the Hall sensor 19 is connected to exactly two lines in that circuit environment.

[0033] The above-described condition detection circuit provides a new and improved configuration that increases reliability and reduces current consumption. The Hall sensor may be connected to ground and to the output switch, and may also be electrically coupled to the output of the voltage regulator.

[0034] The connection to ground and the connection to the output switch can be direct, i.e. the Hall sensor can be directly connected to ground and directly connected to the output switch.

[0035] The Hall sensor circuit may further include a resistive element and a capacitive element. The resistive element may be connected between the output of the voltage regulator and the first connection of the Hall sensor. The capacitive element may be further connected between the first connection of the Hall sensor and ground.

[0036] The first resistive element has a resistance value of 50Ω to 150Ω, for example, 100Ω. The capacitive element has a capacitance of 5nF ​​to 15nF, for example, 10nF. The capacitive element has a nominal voltage of 50V and operates without problems in a voltage range of 5V to 50V.

[0037] Resistive and capacitive elements can also be combined to form part of an RC filter, which can reduce ripple in the supply voltage of a voltage regulator and smooth the supply voltage of a Hall sensor.

[0038] The condition detection circuit may further comprise a first diode, which may be connected between the supply connection and the input of the voltage regulator.

[0039] The first diode can be a reverse polarity protection diode, which protects the state detection circuit from damage in the event of incorrect reverse polarity. Protection against incorrect reverse polarity can be as high as 60 V. The forward voltage can be 0.5 V. The continuous current load is 30 mA, and the maximum short-term current load is 2 A.

[0040] The condition detection circuit may further comprise a first diode circuit between the output connection and ground.

[0041] The first diode circuit may have two diodes arranged in series and arranged in opposite directions. The first diode circuit may have a breakdown voltage of 40 V. The first diode circuit may protect the output switch from overvoltage.

[0042] Furthermore, it is also possible for the state detection circuit to comprise a second diode circuit, which can be connected between ground and the supply connection.

[0043] The second diode circuit may also have two diodes arranged in opposite directions and connected in series.

[0044] The second diode circuit can have a breakdown voltage of 40V. It can be designed as a bidirectional TVS diode. When the second diode circuit reaches its breakdown voltage, it becomes conductive and creates a short circuit to protect the circuitry behind it from overvoltage. In this way, the state detection circuit is reliably protected against reverse polarity.

[0045] The state detection circuit may further include a second resistive element connected between the first connection of the Hall sensor and the second connection of the Hall sensor.

[0046] The second resistor element can form a pull-up resistor for the Hall sensor and has a resistance value of 50 kΩ to 150 kΩ, for example, 100 kΩ, to stabilize the output signal of the Hall sensor.

[0047] The state detection circuit may further include a third resistive element, which may be connected between ground and the output switch.

[0048] The third resistive element may have a resistance value between 100 Ω and 200 Ω, for example 150 Ω. The output switch may have a coupling to ground through the third resistive element such that its potential is well defined with respect to ground potential.

[0049] The output switch may comprise a solid state switch and / or a protection solid state switch.

[0050] The semiconductor switch may be a field effect transistor (FET).

[0051] The semiconductor switch can have an operating voltage of 4V to 60V and is intended to transfer switching state information to an external circuit environment according to the output signal of the Hall sensor without directly connecting the Hall sensor to the external circuit environment.

[0052] In addition to the pure semiconductor switch, the output switch may further comprise protection elements that protect the semiconductor switch from impermissible operating parameters, such as excessively high voltages as well as currents, i.e. the output switch may be or comprise a so-called protection FET (ProFET).

[0053] The voltage regulator may be designed and adapted to provide an output voltage of 3V to 15V for an input voltage of 4V to 36V. The output voltage of the voltage regulator may be 5V in particular. The voltage regulator essentially provides electrical energy to the Hall sensor circuit.

[0054] The Hall sensor of the Hall sensor circuit may include a semiconductor switch and a Hall element connected to a gate terminal of the semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switch of the Hall sensor may be a field effect transistor.

[0055] This configuration in which the Hall sensor is connected to the circuit environment via three lines distinguishes the configuration of the state detection circuit of the present invention from the corresponding detection circuit of, for example, WO2020 / 043515A1.

[0056] Furthermore, it is also possible for the state detection circuit to comprise a second capacitive element, which can be connected between the supply connection and ground.

[0057] The second capacitive element may have a capacitance between 50 nF and 150 nF, for example 100 nF, and acts as a smoothing capacitor to absorb high voltage peaks at the supply terminal of the state detection circuit. When the second capacitive element is suitably charged, the second diode circuit switches through and can dissipate the voltage peaks to ground.

[0058] A corresponding remotely operable switch may, for example, comprise an electric switch and a state detection circuit, as described above, which is specially designed and provided to reliably detect the switching state of the electric switch and provide it to an external circuit environment.

[0059] The remotely operable switch may be selected from a relay, a contactor, or a high voltage contactor.

[0060] In the case of a remotely operable switch, the state detection circuitry may indicate whether the switching state of the switch is "intended closed" and / or "intended open."

[0061] This allows for unambiguous detection of whether the actual state of the switch is the same as the intended switch setting, or whether there is an error and the switch does not have the intended switch state (open or closed) and is open when it should be closed, closed when it should be open, or in a state that is neither fully closed nor fully open.

[0062] The circuit elements of the state detection circuit can be located on one or both sides of the circuit board. The circuit board can be located on the bottom of the remotely operable switch. Furthermore, the circuit board can have dimensions that are compatible with conventional remotely operable switches. In particular, the circuit board can be circular and have a diameter of 10 to 15 mm, for example, 8.5 mm, 12.5 mm, or 13.9 mm. The operating principle and details of a preferred embodiment are shown in the following schematic diagram.

[0063] The remotely operable switch (FS) may further comprise markings on electrical conductors that are designed and suitable for connecting the switch to an external circuit environment.

[0064] The conductors can also be connecting wires and the markings can be reverse polarity warning labels, which can provide improved protection against reverse polarity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0065] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the relative arrangement of several circuit blocks. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram with additional circuit elements of the preferred embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the circuit environment of the Hall element of the Hall sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the functional elements of a remotely operable switch. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows circuit elements of a further preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0066] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the state detection circuit ZES. The state detection circuit comprises a voltage regulator SR, a Hall sensor circuit HSS, and an output switch AS. The Hall sensor circuit includes a Hall sensor HS. The Hall sensor circuit HSS is connected between the voltage regulator SR and the output switch AS. The state detection circuit also has an input SUP for the supply voltage and an output OUT for transferring the switching state to the external circuit environment. The output switch AS is connected between the Hall sensor circuit HSS and the output connection OUT. Optionally, the output switch AS is connected to the supply connection SUP.

[0067] The direction of the arrows on the supply connection SUP and the output connection OUT indicates the direction of the corresponding power.

[0068] The Hall sensor circuit and its placement between the voltage regulator and the output switch make the state detection circuit fundamentally different from corresponding state detection circuits in known remotely controlled switches. As a result of the new configuration, the state detection circuit can have lower power requirements and higher reliability while remaining compatible with conventional remotely controlled switches.

[0069] 2 shows an embodiment of the state detection circuit ZES with further circuit elements. There are further connections that can be connected to ground potential. In particular, the voltage regulator SR, the Hall sensor circuit HSS, and the output switch AS can be connected to ground.

[0070] In the Hall sensor circuit HSS, a first connection HS1 of the Hall sensor HS is connected to a first output connection SR1 of the voltage regulator SR via a first resistive element R1, a second connection HS2 of the Hall sensor circuit HSS is connected to the input of the output switch AS, and a further connection of the Hall sensor HS is connected to ground.

[0071] A first capacitive element C1 is connected between the first connection HS1 of the Hall sensor HS and ground, and a pull-up resistor R2 is connected between the first connection HS1 of the Hall sensor HS and the second connection HS2 of the Hall sensor HS.

[0072] A first diode D1 is connected between the power supply connection SUP and the voltage regulator SR. The first diode D1 represents a reverse polarity protection diode against erroneous polarity reversals in the state detection circuit.

[0073] The first diode circuit DS1 is connected between the output connection OUT and ground. The first diode circuit DS1 provides protection against overvoltages. In particular, the first diode circuit DS1 can protect the output switch AS from overvoltages.

[0074] The second diode circuit DS2 is connected between the supply connection SUP and earth. The second diode circuit DS2 protects the circuit elements behind it from overvoltages at the supply connection SUP. If the breakdown voltage of the second diode circuit DS2 is exceeded, the voltage peaks are discharged to earth.

[0075] A third resistive element R3 is connected between ground and the output switch AS and provides the output switch AS with a defined potential relative to ground.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a possible internal structure of the Hall sensor HS. It may include a Hall element HE and a semiconductor switch HLS. The Hall element HE is positioned near the rest position of the magnet on the movable conductor of the remotely operable switch and detects the magnetic field in its vicinity. The Hall element HE is connected to the base of the semiconductor switch HLS. Overall, the Hall sensor HS is connected to the circuit environment via three wires and provides a binary output signal at its output via the semiconductor switch HLS regarding the magnetic environment of the Hall element. In this case, the semiconductor switch HLS of the Hall sensor HS is essentially coupled or directly connected to the output switch AS.

[0077] FIG. 4 shows the central elements of a remotely operable switch FS. The remotely operable switch FS includes a first electrode EL1, a second electrode EL2, and an electrical conductor L. The electrical conductor L can be attached to a sliding element SCH. The electrical conductor can be pressed against or pulled away from the first and second electrodes EL1 and EL2 via the sliding element SCH, for example, by a magnetic coil MS. This allows the remotely operable switch to close or open the electrical contact between the electrodes EL1 and EL2. The magnetic coil MS can be remotely controlled by a corresponding current. A magnet M, fixedly connected to the sliding element SCH, changes its position depending on the position of the electrical conductor L, thereby changing the magnetic environment of the Hall sensor HS. Based on this magnetic environment, the Hall sensor HS can transmit a binary signal related to the switching state of the electrical conductor L to an external circuit environment. Circuit elements or circuit blocks of the state detection circuit can be arranged on one or both sides of a printed circuit board LP connected to the Hall sensor HS. The wiring board LP can be arranged and fixed in the bottom region of the remotely operable switch FS. The wiring substrate LP can be sized and shaped to fit into a corresponding recess in a conventional remotely operable switch FS, thus reducing power consumption and increasing reliability of a typical remotely operable switch without modifying other switch elements of the switch ES.

[0078] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a state detection circuit based on the circuit according to FIG. 2. For example, compared to the circuit of FIG. 2, the output switch of the circuit according to FIG. 5 is connected directly to ground instead of being connected to the supply connection Sup. Furthermore, the circuit according to FIG. 5 lacks the third resistive element R3, and the output switch of the circuit according to FIG. 5 lacks a corresponding connection to ground via R3. The first diode D1 of the circuit according to FIG. 2 is no longer included in the embodiment according to FIG. 5. The resistance value of the second resistive element R2 can be 2 kΩ to 10 kΩ, for example 4.7 kΩ. The output switch AS can be designed as a three-pole (semiconductor) switch, for example an FET.

[0079] The state detection circuit and the remotely operable switch are not limited to the described embodiments: the state detection circuit may also have further circuit elements, for example, for detecting the temperature or for detecting the voltage applied to the housing of the corresponding switch to detect an error. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] AS Output Switch C1 1st capacitive element C2 2nd capacitive element D1 First diode DS1 First diode circuit DS2 Second diode circuit EL1 First electrode of remotely operable switch EL2 Second electrode of remotely operable switch ES Remotely Operated Electric Switch FS Remote Control Switch HE Hall Element HLS Solid State Switch HS Hall Sensor HS1 Hall sensor 1 output HS2 Second Hall sensor output HSS Hall sensor circuit L moving conductor LP conductor plate M Magnet MS magnet coil OUT Output connection R1 First resistance element R2 2nd resistance element R3 3rd resistance element SCH Slide Element SR Voltage Regulator SR1 Voltage regulator first output SUP supply connection ZES state detection circuit

[0081] [Appendix 1] A state detection circuit, a Hall sensor circuit having a Hall sensor; - a voltage regulator; an output switch; Equipped with the Hall sensor circuit is connected between the voltage regulator and the output switch; Status detection circuit. [Appendix 2] the Hall sensor provides a binary output signal; 2. The state detection circuit according to claim 1. [Appendix 3] further comprising an output connection; the output switch is provided to provide a switching state of a remotely operable switch according to the magnetic environment of the Hall sensor at the output connection. 3. The state detection circuit according to claim 1 or 2. [Appendix 4] Further comprising a supply connection and an earth connection; 4. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. [Appendix 5] The Hall sensor is connected to three different lines of the Hall sensor circuit. 5. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [Appendix 6] The Hall sensor - connected to earth and to the output switch; - electrically coupled to an output of the voltage regulator; 6. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [Appendix 7] the Hall sensor circuit further comprises a resistive element and a capacitive element; - the resistive element is connected between the output of the voltage regulator and a first connection of the Hall sensor; - the capacitive element is connected between a first connection of the Hall sensor and ground; 7. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [Appendix 8] further comprising a first diode between the supply connection and the input of the voltage regulator; 8. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [Appendix 9] further comprising a first diode circuit between the output connection and ground; 9. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 8. [Appendix 10] further comprising a second diode circuit between ground and said supply connection; 10. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 9. [Appendix 11] a second resistive element between the first connection portion of the Hall sensor and the second connection portion of the Hall sensor; 11. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 10. [Appendix 12] further comprising a third resistive element between ground and the output switch; 12. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 11. [Appendix 13] The output switch comprises a semiconductor switch and / or a protection semiconductor switch. 13. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 12. [Appendix 14] The voltage regulator is adapted to provide an output voltage between 3V and 15V, or an output voltage of 5V, from an input voltage between 4V and 36V. 14. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 13. [Appendix 15] the Hall sensor comprises a semiconductor switch and a Hall element connected to a gate connection of the semiconductor switch; 15. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 14. [Appendix 16] further comprising a second capacitive element connected between the supply connection and ground; 16. A state detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 15. [Appendix 17] A remotely operable switch, an electric switch and a state detection circuit according to any one of clauses 1 to 16, arranged to provide a switching state of the electric switch; Remotely operable switch. [Appendix 18] Selected from relays, contactors, and high voltage contactors, 18. The remotely operable switch of claim 17. [Appendix 19] The state detection circuit signals "closed as intended" and / or "open as intended"; 19. The remotely operable switch of claim 17 or 18. [Appendix 20] and further comprising markings on the conductors adapted for connecting the remotely operable switch to an external circuit environment. 20. The remotely operable switch of any one of clauses 17 to 19. [Appendix 21] The conductor is a connecting line, and the marking is a warning label warning against reverse polarity. 21. The remotely operable switch of any one of clauses 17 to 20.

Claims

[Claim 1] A state detection circuit, a Hall sensor circuit having a Hall sensor; a voltage regulator; - an output switch; Equipped with the Hall sensor circuit is connected between the voltage regulator and the output switch; Status detection circuit.

Images