Actuator with a USB interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC actuators face challenges with high power consumption and inrush current peaks when connected to external power supplies, which can cause voltage drops and damage to operator panels, especially when powered by mobile devices like smartphones or tablets.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design integrates a common connection for externally fed current, with a voltage regulator and controllable switching means to ensure power is only supplied to the peripheral unit when necessary, reducing power consumption and preventing overvoltage through decoupling diodes and voltage comparators, allowing mobile devices to provide sufficient power for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the actuator is powered from an external power supply connection, then sufficient power is available for high-power consumers, but inrush current peaks cause voltage drops that can damage the operator panel
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent paths: a first power supply connection for the control unit and a second power supply connection for the peripheral unit. This segmentation allows the control unit to detect voltage levels and control power distribution independently, preventing inrush current from affecting the operator panel while still providing sufficient power to high-power consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the power supply connections and the peripheral unit. It detects voltage levels at the first power supply connection and controls the switching element accordingly, mediating the power flow to prevent harmful voltage drops while enabling sufficient power delivery when conditions are appropriate.
2Ease of operation
If mobile operating devices are used to configure the actuator, then ease of operation is improved, but the devices cannot supply sufficient power due to high actuator power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent paths: a first power supply connection for the control unit and a second power supply connection for the peripheral unit. This segmentation allows the control unit to detect voltage levels and control power distribution independently, preventing inrush current from affecting the operator panel while still providing sufficient power to high-power consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator accepts partial power from the mobile operating device via the first power supply connection, which is sufficient for the control unit's low-power operations. The second power supply connection provides additional power capacity for high-power consumers, allowing the system to operate with mobile devices without requiring the device to supply the entire power load.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is transmitted via serial interface, then adaptability is improved, but power consumption increases beyond what mobile devices can provide
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator accepts partial power from the mobile operating device via the first power supply connection, which is sufficient for the control unit's low-power operations including serial communication for configuration. The second power supply connection provides additional power capacity for high-power consumers, allowing the system to operate with mobile devices without requiring the device to supply the entire power load.
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 power consumption to a manageable level for mobile devices, preventing damage and ensuring reliable data transmission while minimizing power usage, allowing modern handheld devices to supply sufficient power for actuator operation.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage regulator for the power supply of the control unit is also connected downstream of the common connection
Implementation Method 2
The connection socket and the power supply connection are interconnected in such a way that a respective externally fed current feeds exclusively into a common connection
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an HVAC actuator (1) comprising a power supply terminal (6) for an external power supply (4), a control unit (10), a peripheral unit (20) with high-power loads in particular, and a terminal socket (7) which is connected to a serial interface (12) of the control unit. The latter is designed to receive configuration data (RXD) from a mobile operating device (2) connected to the terminal socket (7) and/or transmit configuration data (TXD) and/or diagnostic data (DIAG) to the operating device (2). According to the invention, the terminal socket and the power supply terminal are connected together such that a respective current supplied from the outside is supplied solely to a common terminal (GA). The latter is arranged upstream of a voltage regulator (63) for the power supply of the control unit and a switching means (61) which can be actuated by the control unit for the power supply of the peripheral unit. The control unit is additionally designed to actuate the switching means so that it closes only when a first voltage value (V1) detected at a supply point (AS) of the power supply terminal exceeds a first comparison value (U1) or when a second voltage value (V2) detected by the control unit at the common terminal exceeds a second comparison value (U2).