Solid-State AC Switch Common-Node Grounding for Compact AC-DC Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating and managing direct current (DC) power in electronic components face challenges, particularly in providing different DC supply voltages to various components and dynamically varying power requirements, while also needing AC-DC isolation which increases complexity and footprint in intelligent electrical devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of a common node of a solid-state AC switch as a DC ground reference node for DC power generation and control circuitry, eliminating the need for AC-DC isolation by directly referencing DC voltages to the common source node, allowing for efficient DC power generation and control without the need for additional isolation components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AC-DC isolation components (transformer) are used to provide galvanic isolation between AC input and DC output circuits, then safety and electrical isolation are improved, but device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the transformer component from the AC-DC converter circuitry. By using a solid-state AC switch with a common node that serves as the DC ground reference, the design removes the isolation transformer while maintaining functional operation, thereby reducing device complexity and footprint while preserving essential AC-DC conversion functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The common node of the solid-state AC switch serves multiple functions: it acts as the switching node for AC power control and simultaneously serves as the DC ground reference node for the power converter circuit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate isolation components, reducing overall circuit complexity
2Reliability
If AC-DC isolation components (transformer) are used to provide galvanic isolation between AC input and DC output circuits, then safety and electrical isolation are improved, but footprint and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the transformer component from the AC-DC converter circuitry. By using a solid-state AC switch with a common node that serves as the DC ground reference, the design removes the isolation transformer while maintaining functional operation, thereby reducing device complexity and footprint while preserving essential AC-DC conversion functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the AC switching function and DC ground reference function into a single common node of the solid-state AC switch. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate isolation components, significantly reducing the overall circuit footprint and device size
3Adaptability or versatility
If different electronic components require different operating DC supply voltages and dynamic power variation, then system functionality and adaptability are improved, but power supply system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment capability through control circuitry that can vary the duty cycle of the solid-state AC switch based on detected AC voltage characteristics. This allows the DC output voltage to dynamically adapt to different power requirements, enabling the system to provide different operating voltages to various electronic components while maintaining a relatively simple power supply architecture
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the design of intelligent electrical devices by reducing complexity and footprint, while ensuring reliable and efficient DC power generation and control, capable of handling varying power requirements and different voltage levels.
Implementation Method 1
The power converter circuit is coupled to the common node of the solid-state AC switch and is configured to convert an AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage
Implementation Method 2
The storage capacitor is coupled to and between an output node of the power converter circuit and a DC ground node
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided to utilize a common node of a solid-state AC switch as a DC ground reference node for DC power generation and control circuitry of an intelligent electrical device (e.g., intelligent dimmer switch, intelligent circuit breaker, etc.). For example, a device comprises a solid-state AC switch, and a power converter circuit. The solid-state AC switch comprises a first solid-state switch and a second solid-state switch which are coupled back-to-back to common node of the solid-state AC switch. The power converter circuit is coupled to the common node of the solid-state AC switch and is configured to convert an AC voltage to a DC voltage. The common node of the solid-state AC switch is utilized as a DC ground node of the power converter circuit, and the DC voltage output from the power converter circuit is ground referenced to the common node of the solid-state AC switch.