Circuit Breaker Power Supply With Dual Rectifiers for Wide Current Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit breakers face challenges in providing sufficient energy at low currents while operating safely at high currents due to the limitations of energy converters, which require a minimum current threshold and generate excess power as heat at high currents, leading to reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A dual rectifier circuit system is implemented, where a first rectifier circuit connected via a capacitor ensures energy supply at low currents, and a second rectifier circuit takes over at high currents, optimizing energy delivery across varying current levels without increasing system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capacitor is connected between the secondary-side output and the control unit to suppress voltage spikes, then the control unit is protected from voltage spikes, but the capacitor causes a voltage drop that reduces the operating voltage of the control unit
Solution Approach 1:
A rectifier circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the capacitor and the control unit. This rectifier circuit converts the voltage waveform and compensates for the voltage drop caused by the capacitor, thereby maintaining sufficient operating voltage for the control unit while preserving the voltage spike suppression function of the capacitor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the power supply circuit by adding a rectifier circuit that modifies the voltage waveform characteristics. This parameter change compensates for the voltage drop introduced by the capacitor, ensuring the control unit receives adequate voltage while still being protected from voltage spikes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a voltage spike suppressor is connected in parallel to the primary-side input, then voltage spikes are suppressed, but the voltage spike suppressor generates EMI that disturbs the control unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the EMI generation function from the voltage spike suppression function by placing the capacitor on the secondary side rather than using a traditional primary-side voltage spike suppressor. This separation eliminates the EMI problem while maintaining voltage spike suppression capability through the capacitor's inherent properties
Solution Approach 2:
The rectifier circuit serves as an intermediary that isolates the control unit from EMI while allowing the capacitor to perform voltage spike suppression. The rectifier circuit's electrical characteristics block EMI propagation to the control unit while permitting the capacitor to function effectively in suppressing voltage spikes
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 ensures reliable energy supply to the control unit at both low and high currents, minimizing the required primary current and preventing overheating, thus enhancing the circuit breaker's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an energy converter (EC) which is connected to the electrical circuit on its primary side and provides a power supply on its secondary side
Implementation Method 2
The first rectifier circuit (D1) is connected to the secondary-side output (15) of the energy converter via a capacitor (C1)
Implementation Method 3
A first (D1) and a second (D2) rectifier circuit are connected to the secondary-side output (15) of the energy converter
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a circuit breaker (MCB) for interrupting an electrical circuit when current and/or current-time limit values are exceeded, comprising an energy converter (EC) which is connected to the electrical circuit on its primary side and provides a power supply on its secondary side for at least one control unit (CTU) of the circuit breaker (MCB). A first (D1) and a second (D2) rectifier circuit are connected to the secondary-side output (15) of the energy converter. The first rectifier circuit (D1) is connected to the secondary-side output (15) of the energy converter via a capacitor (C1).