Capacitor-Assisted Electromechanical Component State Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control methods for electromechanical components, such as relays, require high power and low internal resistance batteries or transistors to efficiently switch between operating states, which can be costly and inefficient, especially with small-sized DC power supply sources.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a capacitor to generate an additional current by charging it before activating the electromechanical component and discharging it during activation, allowing the use of small-sized and inexpensive batteries, and enabling the use of half-bridges with significant resistance in the ON state by providing an additional current to overcome internal resistance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DC power supply source with low internal resistance and high power is used to control the electromechanical component, then the component can be switched efficiently between operating states, but the cost and size of the power supply source increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is charged in advance during a first time interval before the switching operation. This preliminary energy storage allows the capacitor to discharge and provide additional current during the activation phase, enabling efficient switching without requiring a high-power supply source
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the power supply source and the electromechanical component. It temporarily stores energy and releases it during switching operations, decoupling the requirements of the power supply from the peak current demands of the component
2Use of energy by moving object
If transistors with low internal resistance in the ON state are used to control the electromechanical component, then power consumption is reduced, but the cost and complexity of the control device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention accepts and utilizes the significant internal resistance of conventional transistors in the ON state by combining it with capacitor discharge current. The capacitor compensates for the voltage drop caused by transistor resistance, converting what would be a harmful effect into a workable solution that allows use of simple, low-cost transistors
3Volume of moving object
If a small-sized battery is used as the DC power supply source, then the overall device size is reduced, but the internal resistance of the battery becomes significant, reducing control efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is charged in advance from the small battery during a first time interval. This preliminary charging allows the capacitor to serve as a temporary high-power source during switching operations, compensating for the battery's limited power capability while maintaining a compact device size
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor mediates between the small battery and the electromechanical component, providing the additional current needed during switching without requiring the battery itself to have low internal resistance or high power capability
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 approach enables efficient control of electromechanical components with reduced power consumption and cost, allowing for symmetrical behavior during activation and deactivation cycles, and the use of low-cost components, including conventional microcontrollers.
Implementation Method 1
prior to the generation of the first current, charging a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
simultaneously with the generation of the first current, at least partial discharging the capacitor through the electromechanical component to cause an additional current to flow in the electromechanical component
Implementation Method 3
an electromechanical component comprises an inductive element, such as a coil
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for controlling a change of an electromechanical component between a first operating state and a second operating state. The method may include changing from the first operating state to the second operating state by generating a first current flowing through the electromechanical component, prior to the generation of the first current, charging a capacitor, and simultaneously with the generation of the first current, partial discharging the capacitor through the electromechanical component to cause an additional current to flow in the electromechanical component, the additional current being added to the first current. The method may include changing from the second operating state to the first operating state by generating a second current flowing in a direction opposite to the first current in the electromechanical component, and prior to the flowing of the second current, discharging the capacitor.