Actuator Protection Against Generator Voltage Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle roll stabilization systems, when the power supply to an actuator is interrupted, the actuator can act as a generator, potentially causing damage by feeding a generator voltage back into the electrical feed lines, which existing technologies fail to effectively prevent.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect interruptions or deviations in the supply voltage and generate a protection signal to interrupt or short-circuit the phase lines, preventing the generator voltage from being transmitted, using a converter and protection equipment to control the actuator unit, thereby preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the actuator operates without protection during power supply interruption, then the actuator can generate electricity as a generator, but this causes damage by feeding generator voltage back into the electrical feed lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a protection device that proactively prevents the harmful effect of generator voltage feedback before it can damage the electrical feed lines. The protection device is configured to detect when the actuator operates as a generator during power supply interruption and automatically interrupts or short-circuits the phase lines to counteract the harmful voltage feedback, thus preventing damage in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful generator voltage into a beneficial protective measure by using the protection device to detect the generator operation and trigger a controlled short-circuit or interruption of the phase lines. This transforms the potentially damaging generator voltage into a signal that activates the protection mechanism, effectively using the harmful condition to trigger a protective response that prevents actual damage
2Reliability
If protection equipment is added to prevent generator voltage damage, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the protection device to perform multiple functions within a single integrated unit. The protection device not only detects generator voltage but also automatically interrupts or short-circuits the phase lines, combining detection, decision-making, and execution functions in one component. This multi-functional approach prevents damage while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by avoiding separate dedicated components for each function
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 prevents damage to the actuator unit by quickly reducing the generator voltage and ensuring safe operation even during power supply interruptions, maintaining system integrity and preventing overvoltage issues.
Implementation Method 1
If the power supply of an actuator, such as an electric motor, is interrupted, the actuator can act as a generator
Data Source
AI summary
A method for actuating an actuator device of a roll stabilizer for a vehicle. The actuator device has a supply line connection for supplying a supply voltage, a converter for supplying an alternating voltage using the supply voltage, and at least two phase lines for supplying the alternating voltage to actuator connections of an actuator which can be operated using the alternating voltage. The method has a step of reading an interruption signal, which indicates an interruption in the supply of the supply voltage or a deviation from the supply voltage at the supply line connection and a step of providing a protection signal at an interface with a protection device using the interruption signal in order to at least partly prevent a generator voltage which is or can be fed into the phase lines via the actuator connections from being forwarded in response to the protection signal.