Electronic Detonator Control System Power Supply Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for electronic detonators are vulnerable to damage from significant potential differences in electrical conductor wires, leading to risks of system failure and detonator non-firing due to faults in on-board supply means.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a power supply module that takes over the power supply of electronic detonators after a firing command is generated, disconnecting the control module from the potential difference and ensuring continuous supply to the detonators, using switching means and energy storage capacitors to manage power signals and protect against overvoltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control module continues to power the electronic detonators after firing command, then the detonators can fire reliably, but the control module is damaged by potential difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetonator firing reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol module damage from potential difference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply function is segmented into two independent modules: control module and power supply module. The control module generates firing commands while the power supply module provides power through switching means and energy storage capacitors. This segmentation allows the control module to be electrically isolated from the high potential difference during firing, protecting it from damage while maintaining detonator reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Switching means and energy storage capacitors are introduced as intermediary components between the control module and the detonators. These intermediaries transfer power from the control module during normal operation to the detonators during firing, while blocking the harmful potential difference from reaching the control module, thus mediating between reliability and protection requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the control module is electrically isolated from the detonators after firing command, then the control module is protected from damage, but the detonators may fail to fire due to power supply failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol module protection from overvoltageVSAvoiddetonator firing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Energy storage capacitors are charged in advance during the normal operation phase when the control module is delivering power. When firing command is given, these pre-charged capacitors immediately take over power supply to the detonators, ensuring continuous power without interruption. This preliminary action of charging capacitors beforehand enables both protection and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply to detonators is maintained continuously through the switching means and energy storage capacitors. The capacitors bridge the transition period when the control module is electrically isolated, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery to the detonators throughout the firing process, thus maintaining continuous useful action despite the isolation for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If a single power supply module is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the power supply reliability during firing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply system complexityVSAvoidpower supply continuity during firing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply module is designed with multi-functionality to perform both normal operation power supply and firing phase power supply. The switching means and energy storage capacitors enable this single module to adapt its function dynamically, replacing the need for separate power supply modules for different phases, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 protects the control system from overvoltages and ensures reliable operation of electronic detonators by switching to a secondary power supply after a firing command, maintaining continuous power and preventing system damage.

Implementation Method 1

using switching means and energy storage capacitors to manage power signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3265746B1System for controlling at least one electronic detonator

Publication Date: 2019.05.15 DAVEY BICKFORD

Figure 1~2

AI summary

A system (10) for controlling at least one electronic detonator generates, as output (100), an output power supply signal (Vs) intended to power said at least one electronic detonator and generating commands to fire said at least one electronic detonator, said control system (10) comprising a control module (11) configured to generate firing commands and to generate a first power supply signal (Vm). The control system (10) further comprises a power supply module (12) generating a second power supply signal (Vc) intended to power said at least one electronic detonator, said output power supply signal (Vs) corresponding to said second power supply signal (Vc) once a command to fire said at least one electronic detonator has been generated, and corresponding to said first power supply signal (Vm) as long as no firing command has been generated.