Electromagnetic Actuator Current Control Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical current switchgear with electromagnetic actuators consumes excessive energy during the closure phase due to high inrush currents, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and heat dissipation, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling electrical current switchgear that limits the power supply current to the coil using a control circuit with a microcontroller, digital-analogue converter, and analogue comparator, allowing for precise comparison and inhibition of current supply once the desired intensity is reached, reducing unnecessary current consumption during the closure phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high inrush current is supplied to the coil during the closure phase to ensure reliable switching, then the reliability of the switchgear is improved, but the energy consumption and heat dissipation increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the current supply adaptive rather than static. The control circuit continuously monitors the mobile part position and dynamically adjusts the current intensity: providing high inrush current when needed for displacement, then automatically reducing to holding current once the closed position is reached. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability during the critical displacement phase while minimizing energy consumption during the holding phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through position detection means that continuously monitor the mobile part position and feed this information back to the control circuit. The control circuit uses this feedback to intelligently regulate current supply: maintaining high current when displacement is in progress, and automatically reducing current when the closed position is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable switching while eliminating excessive energy consumption during the holding phase.
2Reliability
If a high inrush current is maintained continuously to ensure the mobile part reaches the closed position, then the switching reliability is improved, but the heat dissipation increases requiring additional cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the current supply adaptive rather than static. The control circuit continuously monitors the mobile part position and dynamically adjusts the current intensity: providing high inrush current when needed for displacement, then automatically reducing to holding current once the closed position is reached. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability during the critical displacement phase while minimizing energy consumption during the holding phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through position detection means that continuously monitor the mobile part position and feed this information back to the control circuit. The control circuit uses this feedback to intelligently regulate current supply: maintaining high current when displacement is in progress, and automatically reducing current when the closed position is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable switching while eliminating excessive energy consumption during the holding phase.
3Reliability
If the inrush phase duration is extended to ensure complete displacement of the mobile part, then the reliability of closure is improved, but the energy consumption and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through position detection means that continuously monitor the mobile part position and feed this information back to the control circuit. The control circuit uses this feedback to intelligently regulate current supply: maintaining high current when displacement is in progress, and automatically reducing current when the closed position is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable switching while eliminating excessive energy consumption during the holding phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the control circuit to automatically determine when the mobile part has reached the closed position using position detection means. The system self-regulates the current supply duration based on actual displacement status, eliminating the need for manual timing adjustments or overly complex external control mechanisms. This self-service approach ensures reliable closure while keeping the control circuit relatively simple.
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 solution reduces energy consumption and heat dissipation by optimizing the power supply current, simplifying the control circuit operation, and minimizing the manufacturing complexity and costs associated with heat management.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator comprises a coil which is configured to generate a magnetic field which it is passed through by an electrical power supply current. Correspondingly, the mobile part is equipped with a magnetic element, such as a permanent magnet, which interacts with the magnetic field so as to create an electromagnetic force which displaces the mobile part
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling switchgear includes the implementation of a limitation of the intensity value of the power supply current of a coil of an actuator, including acquisition of a power supply current limit value; generation of a reference value representative of the power supply current limit value; acquisition of a signal representative of the intensity of the power supply current circulating through the coil; comparison of the reference signal with the signal representative of the intensity of the power supply current; inhibition of the current power supply of the coil, as long as the intensity of the power supply current has a value greater than or equal to the reference value, the current power supply of the coil being re-established when the intensity of the power supply current returns below the reference value.