Actuator with a USB interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC actuators face challenges with high power consumption, leading to immediate voltage drops when powered by mobile devices due to high start-up current peaks, especially when charging capacitors, which is unsafe and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design with a power supply connection and control unit that manages power distribution, using a voltage regulator and switching means to ensure only necessary components receive power during data transmission, reducing power consumption and preventing overvoltage backflow through a common connection point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator is powered by a mobile operating device during data transmission, then data configuration and diagnostics become possible on-site, but high start-up current peaks cause immediate voltage drops and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A USB protection circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the mobile operating device and the actuator. This protection circuit includes current limiting elements, voltage regulation components, and protection diodes that mediate the power and data transmission, preventing direct connection issues from affecting system reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
2Power
If high power is supplied to the actuator for motor operation, then the actuator can drive heavy loads, but mobile devices cannot provide sufficient power
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two distinct paths: a high-power path for motor operation connected to external power supplies, and a low-power USB path for data transmission and control connected to mobile devices. The USB protection circuit handles only the low-power data/control functions, while the motor control circuit receives adequate power from external sources, thus maintaining both motor drive capability and mobile device compatibility.
3Power
If a separate power supply connection is used for the actuator, then sufficient power can be provided for motor operation, but data transmission requires an additional connection
Solution Approach 1:
The USB connection socket is designed with multi-functionality, serving both data transmission and low-power control functions through a single connection. The USB protection circuit enables this single interface to handle multiple tasks including configuration, diagnostics, and control signals, eliminating the need for separate data and power connections while maintaining adequate motor power supply through dedicated power inputs.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include an actuator comprising: a power supply connection; a processor for controlling and monitoring the actuator; a peripheral unit with power consumers; and a connection socket connected to a serial interface of the processor. The processor receives primary configuration data from an operating device connected to the connection socket and/or sends secondary configuration data and/or diagnostic data to the operating device. A respective current fed in externally feeds exclusively into a common connection. There is a voltage regulator for supplying power to the processor and a switch configured to be activated by the processor for supplying power to the peripheral unit, both connected downstream of the common connection. The processor activates the switch to close only if the voltage detected at a feed-in point of the power supply connection exceeds a first limit or if the voltage detected at the common connection exceeds a second limit.