Actuator Current Regulation for Impact-Resistant Contact Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic actuator devices for electrical switching devices are prone to untimely opening of electrical contacts due to external impacts, which can lead to welding and damage, and current control methods are insufficiently rapid or increase electricity consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method using a proportional-integral-derivative algorithm to regulate the electric current supplied to an electromagnet, with a control device that detects unwanted movements and adjusts the current to maintain contact closure during impacts without significantly increasing electricity consumption, employing a power supply, measurement, and sampling components to manage the electromagnetic force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the current value is increased to maintain contact closure during impacts, then the reliability of contact closure is improved, but the electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic current regulation by switching between two current values (first current value for normal operation, second current value for impact response) based on real-time impact detection. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable contact closure during impacts while minimizing electricity consumption during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through impact detection mechanisms that monitor the actuator's state and trigger current adjustment when impacts are detected. This feedback loop ensures the system responds appropriately to maintain contact closure reliability only when necessary, avoiding continuous high current consumption and thus resolving the energy-reliability trade-off.
2Reliability
If accelerometers are added to detect impacts, then the reliability of impact detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing coil and current measurement system as an intermediary to detect impacts indirectly through current variations caused by impact-induced movement. This approach avoids adding accelerometers or dedicated movement sensors, maintaining device simplicity while achieving reliable impact detection through the electromagnetic system already present in the actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator's own electromagnetic system serves the dual purpose of actuation and impact detection. By monitoring current variations in the coil, the system self-diagnoses impact conditions without requiring external sensing components, thus improving impact detection reliability while avoiding increased device complexity.
3Speed
If the current regulation algorithm is made more rapid to prevent untimely opening, then the response speed is improved, but the electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic sampling of current values at defined intervals to detect impacts. This periodic detection mechanism provides rapid response to impacts when they occur while maintaining low power consumption during normal operation, as the system only actively regulates current when impact conditions are detected through the sampling process.
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
Effectively maintains contact closure during larger impacts while minimizing electricity consumption, reducing the risk of contact opening and damage, and simplifying the design by eliminating the need for movement sensors, thus making the switching device more robust and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the circulation of a current in the coil... causes the appearance in the coil of an electromotive force... electromagnetic force exerted on the magnet
Implementation Method 2
the reverse movement is generally effectuated by a spring... offset the action of the spring
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for controlling an actuator comprising an electromagnet and a control device, the electromagnet including a coil and a moving part that moves between a first position and a second position, the control device including a power supply member configured to supply the coil with an electric current having a voltage and an amperage and a measurement member for measuring a value of a quantity from among the voltage and the amperage. The method includes acquiring samples of the measured value, of regulating, according to a proportional-integral-derivative algorithm, the electric current to around a setpoint value that is equal to a maintenance value capable of maintaining the moving part in the second position, of comparing each sample to a predetermined threshold and of detecting a movement of the moving part if a single sample is above or equal to the threshold.