Connecting Device for Intrinsically Safe Circuits with Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In intrinsically safe circuits, the power consumption of electronic devices is limited by resistors to prevent ignitable sparks, but this limits the maximum current consumption, restricting the types of components that can be used and increasing production complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a control unit, energy storage device, and current limiter that allows controlled charging and connection of components, enabling efficient power supply to high-power devices while managing current peaks without exceeding safe limits, using a capacitor to buffer short-term current spikes and reduce reliance on resistors for intrinsic safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resistors are used to limit power consumption in intrinsically safe circuits, then intrinsic safety is improved (ignitable sparks are prevented), but current consumption is limited (maximum current and peak current are restricted)
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is charged in advance through a current limiter before being connected to the output. This preliminary charging action allows the system to prepare energy reserves without exceeding the current limits imposed by the resistors during the charging phase, while enabling high current delivery later when the stored energy is discharged to power components.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the load components. It receives limited current through the resistor and current limiter, stores energy, then releases it as higher current to the load, effectively decoupling the current limitation from the component power requirements.
2Reliability
If resistors are used to limit current consumption, then intrinsic safety is improved, but component selection is restricted (only low power components can be used)
Solution Approach 1:
By charging the energy storage device in advance through controlled current limiting, the system prepares sufficient energy reserves to support high-power components like radio devices that would otherwise be incompatible with resistor-limited circuits. This allows versatile component selection while maintaining safety during the charging phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device serves as a mediator that enables high-power components to operate in intrinsically safe circuits. It absorbs the mismatch between the limited current available through the resistor and the high current required by advanced components, expanding component compatibility.
3Reliability
If resistors are used to limit power consumption, then intrinsic safety is improved, but production complexity and cost increase (low power components are complex to produce)
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device acts as an intermediary that enables the use of standard, easier-to-produce components rather than specialized low-power components. By providing buffered power, it allows conventional components with simpler manufacturing to be used in intrinsically safe circuits, reducing production complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power delivery parameters by introducing energy storage and controlled switching. This allows standard components designed for higher power consumption to be used, rather than requiring components specifically designed for ultra-low power consumption, thereby simplifying production.
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
Enables efficient connection and operation of high-power components while maintaining intrinsic safety, reducing production costs and complexity by managing current peaks and ensuring stable power supply through controlled charging and buffering.
Implementation Method 1
The energy storage device is a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
The charging device is a current limiting device
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a connecting device (102) having a control unit (120), an energy storage device (126), an input terminal (116, 127) and an output terminal (129b, 128). The input terminal is connected to the energy storage device (126) via a charging device (123) and is charged by the latter, in order to keep within the intrinsic safety limits of the power supply.