Adaptive Voltage Clamping Circuit for Residual Power Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical devices with mechanical locking mechanisms face challenges in safely isolating power and preventing access due to residual electric power from secondary feeds, mis-wiring, or DC power lines, which existing technologies fail to effectively manage.
Innovation Solution
A device and method incorporating a rectifier, adaptive voltage clamping circuit, and DC-DC voltage regulator to control and regulate power supplied to a smart material actuator, ensuring safe power isolation and lock-out capability by monitoring voltage levels and controlling power transistors to maintain a stable voltage threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical locking mechanism is used to prevent access when power is disconnected, then safety is improved, but residual electric power from secondary feeds, mis-wiring, or DC power lines can still activate the lock, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A power management circuit is introduced as an intermediary between the power source and the locking mechanism. This circuit includes a rectifier to convert AC to DC, a voltage regulator to maintain stable voltage, and a capacitor to store energy. The intermediary circuit ensures that the locking mechanism receives controlled, stable power and can maintain its locked state even when main power is disconnected, preventing residual power from causing unintended activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit performs preliminary action by pre-charging the capacitor and establishing stable voltage regulation before the locking mechanism is activated. This ensures that when power is disconnected, the stored energy in the capacitor can maintain the lock state for a predetermined time, preventing residual power from interfering with the safety function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If power is completely isolated when the switch is opened, then safety is improved, but residual power in the system may remain active, creating a harmful effect
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit extracts and isolates residual power from the main system by using a separate capacitor to store energy and a voltage regulator to control the discharge. When the switch is opened, the capacitor continues to supply power to the locking mechanism for a predetermined time, effectively extracting residual power from the main circuit and preventing it from causing harmful effects while maintaining the lock state.
3Device complexity
If a simple switch is used to control power, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to regulate voltage and manage power distribution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit performs multiple functions within a single integrated system: rectification of AC to DC, voltage regulation to maintain stable output, energy storage in the capacitor, and controlled power distribution to the locking mechanism. This multi-functional circuit provides adaptability to handle various power input conditions while maintaining consistent performance, eliminating the need for separate 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
The solution effectively manages voltage levels to ensure safe power isolation and lock-out functionality, accommodating a wide range of input voltages and preventing access when power is disconnected, thus addressing the residual power issues in electrical devices.
Implementation Method 1
A circuit includes a rectifier, an adaptive voltage clamping circuit, and a DC-DC voltage regulator. The rectifier is disposed to receive electrical power indicated by an input voltage level
Implementation Method 2
The adaptive voltage clamping circuit includes a power transistor, a voltage feedback circuit, and a controller. The controller is disposed to monitor the voltage feedback circuit and control the power transistor
Data Source
AI summary
A device for supplying electric power includes a rectifier, an adaptive voltage clamping circuit, and a DC-DC voltage regulator. The rectifier receives electrical power, and is electrically connected to an input line of the adaptive voltage clamping circuit. The adaptive voltage clamping circuit includes a power transistor, a voltage feedback circuit, and a controller. The DC-DC voltage regulator is electrically connected to the adaptive voltage clamping circuit and, in one embodiment an actuator. The controller monitors the voltage feedback circuit and controls the power transistor to a fully open state to transfer electric power to the DC-DC voltage regulator when the voltage level supplied to the DC-DC voltage regulator is less than a threshold. The controller controls the power transistor in a linear state to regulate the voltage transferred to the DC-DC voltage regulator when the voltage level supplied to the DC-DC voltage regulator is greater than the threshold.