Dual-FET Quench Control for Inductive Load Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical components with inductive loads, such as switching relays in motor vehicles, face challenges in efficiently managing energy during the quenching process, leading to potential overloading of field-effect transistors and the need for additional components.
Innovation Solution
The method involves distributing the energy released during quenching to two field-effect transistors, allowing them to be dimensioned smaller and omitting additional components by operating the first transistor in linear operation and the second in linear or clock-pulsed operation during the switching-off process of the quench winding, with a control unit managing these operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single field-effect transistor is used to quench the inductive load, then the quenching function is provided, but the transistor is overloaded and may be destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the quenching function into two separate field-effect transistors: a first FET for switching the primary winding and a second FET for switching the quench winding. This segmentation distributes the energy handling responsibility, preventing any single transistor from being overloaded during the quenching process.
2Reliability
If additional components are added for quenching the coil current, then the quenching function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the two field-effect transistors multi-functional by enabling them to operate in different modes (linear operation, clock-pulsed operation, or switched-off state). This allows the same components to handle both primary winding switching and quenching functions without requiring additional dedicated quenching components.
3Reliability
If the field-effect transistors are dimensioned for full energy handling, then reliability is ensured, but the transistor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the energy handling task across two transistors, each transistor can be dimensioned for a portion of the total energy rather than the full energy. This allows for smaller, more compact transistor designs while maintaining system reliability through the distributed architecture.
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 prevents transistor overload, reduces the need for additional components, and ensures efficient energy distribution, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the electrical component's switching process.
Implementation Method 1
a quench winding (4) for quenching the inductive load of the primary winding (2) during the switching off of the primary winding
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical component having a primary winding, a first field-effect transistor, configured as a switch of the primary winding, for switching the primary winding, a quench winding for quenching the inductive load of the primary winding when switching off the primary winding, and a second field-effect transistor, configured as a switch of the quench winding, for switching the quench winding. In the process, the first field-effect transistor is operated in linear operation and the second field-effect transistor is operated in linear operation or in a clock-pulsed operation between the linear operation and a switched-off state during a switching-off process of the quench winding.