DIN Rail Power Buffering for Automation Voltage Drop Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation systems lack the capability to effectively bridge temporary voltage drops or failures, which can lead to unsaved data loss and unsafe system states due to insufficient reaction time for implementing protective measures.
Innovation Solution
A DIN rail-mounted device with an integrated power supply unit and energy storage system that detects voltage drops, continues to supply electrical energy to critical components, and signals the failure, allowing the system to transition to a safe state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the head station is connected directly to a power source, then the power supply is simple and reliable, but the system cannot react to voltage drops or power failures in time to execute protective measures
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is pre-charged during normal operation before a voltage drop occurs. When a voltage drop is detected, the pre-charged energy storage device immediately provides power to the head station, enabling timely protective actions without adding complex active compensation circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device acts as an intermediary between the power source and the head station. It buffers voltage fluctuations and provides temporary power during drops, isolating the head station from direct power source instability while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If potential feed terminals are used to supply downstream bus terminals, then the power distribution is simplified, but downstream devices cannot maintain operation during voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device in the downstream bus terminal is pre-charged during normal voltage conditions. When a voltage drop occurs on the downstream side, the pre-charged energy storage device immediately supplies power to connected devices, maintaining operation without requiring complex active power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system is segmented into independent zones, each with its own energy storage device. This allows downstream devices to be protected independently from upstream voltage drops, enabling localized power resilience without complicating the entire distribution system.
3Loss of time
If no energy storage is provided, then the device complexity is low, but there is insufficient reaction time to back up data and execute safety mechanisms during voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is continuously pre-charged during normal operation, so when a voltage drop occurs, power is immediately available without delay. This eliminates reaction time delays while keeping the power supply unit relatively simple, as no complex control circuits are needed beyond basic voltage detection and switching.
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 the automation system to maintain operation during voltage drops by providing continued power and signaling failures, preventing data loss and ensuring a safe state transition.
Implementation Method 1
the power supply unit has an energy store for storing electrical energy, wherein the power supply unit is further configured to detect a voltage drop and/or a voltage failure at the input of the power supply unit and to provide a supply voltage at the output of the power supply unit over a limited period of time by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy store
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a rail-mounted device (10) for automation systems (100) comprising: - at least one local bus interface (12) for connecting the rail-mounted device (10) to a local bus of an automation system (100), and - a power supply unit (20), which has at least one input (13) for connecting the rail-mounted device (10) to a power source (70) and at least one output (14), via which the power supply unit (20) can be connected or is connected to at least one electronic control unit (50) of the automation system (100) to feed in a supply voltage, characterized in that - the power supply unit (20) of the rail-mounted device (10) comprises a stored energy source (22) for storing electrical energy, or is connected to such a device, - wherein the power supply unit (20) of the rail-mounted device (10) is configured to detect a voltage drop or a voltage failure at the input (13) of the power supply unit (20) and, using the electrical energy stored in the stored energy source (22), to provide a supply voltage at at least one output (14b, 14c) of the power supply unit (20) for a limited period, - wherein the rail-mounted device (10) has at least one signal output (15, 12) to signal a voltage drop or voltage failure detected at the input (13) of the power supply unit (20).