Multilayer Capacitive Divider Reducing Output Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior-art capacitive dividers exhibit high output impedance and significant dimensions due to the number of capacitors connected in series, limiting their effectiveness in voltage attenuation.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive divider device with first and second main electrodes on the same level and a common electrode on another level, along with auxiliary electrodes forming capacitive units in a multilayer structure, connected via linear conductors to reduce impedance and increase capacitance, allowing for parallel connection of capacitive units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitors are connected in series in multilayer structures to form capacitive dividers, then voltage attenuation is achieved, but output impedance becomes relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of capacitors to a three-dimensional multilayer structure where capacitive units are stacked vertically. Multiple capacitive units are formed between different levels of the multilayer structure, with alternate levels connected in series to achieve voltage attenuation while reducing output impedance through the spatial distribution of capacitance across multiple layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive divider is segmented into multiple discrete capacitive units distributed across different levels of the multilayer structure. Each capacitive unit consists of electrodes on adjacent levels, and these units are connected in series through the multilayer architecture, allowing the total capacitance to be distributed while maintaining the voltage division function.
2Reliability
If the number of capacitors connected in series is increased to improve voltage attenuation, then the dimensions of the multilayer structure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple capacitive units are nested within the multilayer structure, with each level containing electrodes that form capacitive units with adjacent levels. The structure is organized hierarchically where capacitive units at different levels are interconnected, allowing high voltage attenuation ratios to be achieved within a compact vertical footprint rather than requiring extensive horizontal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the multilayer structure to accommodate multiple capacitive units. By stacking capacitive units across different levels and connecting them in series, the patent achieves high voltage attenuation ratios without proportionally increasing the overall dimensions, as the capacitance is distributed through the vertical stacking rather than requiring lateral expansion.
3Reliability
If auxiliary electrodes are added to form auxiliary capacitive units, then equivalent capacitance increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common electrode serves multiple functions: it acts as one plate for capacitive units with main electrodes on the first level, and as the other plate for capacitive units with auxiliary electrodes on the second level. This multi-functional electrode design allows the same physical structure to provide multiple capacitive units without proportionally increasing the number of separate components, thereby increasing equivalent capacitance while limiting the growth of device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of multiple electrodes into fewer physical structures. The common electrode combines the roles of multiple separate electrodes that would otherwise be needed, and alternate levels are merged into a unified series connection architecture. This consolidation increases the equivalent capacitance through multiple capacitive units while reducing the overall complexity compared to having completely separate capacitor structures.
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 significantly reduces output impedance and increases equivalent capacitance, enabling more efficient voltage attenuation with minimal increase in multilayer structure size, improving the capacitive divider's performance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive divider device designed to attenuate an input voltage, said device comprising electrodes formed on different levels of a multilayer structure separated by insulating layers, said electrodes including a first and second main electrode to apply said input voltage, and a common electrode to supply an attenuated voltage from said input voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer capacitive divider having first and second main electrodes on the same level to apply an input voltage, and a common electrode on another level to supply an attenuated voltage, at least a first auxiliary electrode on yet another level, the electrodes arranged to form capacitive units, with the auxiliary electrode extending towards a side of the device towards which the second main electrode is arranged for connecting the auxiliary electrode to the second main electrode by a linear conductor. One such device also includes a voltage sensor, a trip device module and an electrical protection apparatus.