Dual Power Supply Circuit With Reactor-Limited Inrush Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical power supply systems face issues with inrush currents that can damage electronic devices during failures in power supply, particularly in moving objects like aircraft, where sudden power disruptions can occur.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a connection circuit with reactors in series to the connection device, which generates a counter-electromotive force to suppress the peak value of inrush currents, and a disconnection device to isolate the power generating device from the supply circuit during failures, protecting electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connection device connects the first electrical power supply circuit and the second electrical power supply circuit during a failure, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the inrush current damages the electronic devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidinrush current damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reactor as an intermediary component between the connection device and the electrical power supply circuits. This reactor acts as a mediator that allows the connection to be established while simultaneously suppressing the harmful inrush current, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining power supply reliability and preventing inrush current damage to electronic devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful inrush current into a beneficial controlled current flow by using the reactor's inductance to limit and regulate the current during the connection process. The connection device's closing action, which originally caused harmful inrush current, is transformed into a controlled operation that maintains power supply reliability while preventing damage through the reactor's current-limiting effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the disconnection device isolates the power generating device during failure, then the protection of electronic devices is improved, but the power supply continuity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic device protectionVSAvoidpower supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system into distinct isolatable sections using the disconnection device. This allows the faulty power generating device to be isolated from the rest of the system, protecting electronic devices from damage while the healthy portions of the system continue to operate and maintain power supply continuity through the connection circuit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration effectively suppresses inrush currents, protecting electronic devices and maintaining stable power supply in the event of failures, ensuring reliable operation in moving objects.

Implementation Method 1

the connection circuit with reactors in series to the connection device, which generates a counter-electromotive force to suppress the peak value of inrush currents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCounter-electromotive force: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4648245A1Power supply system, moving object, and method of controlling power supply system
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4648245A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4648245A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648245A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A electrical power supply system (10) is equipped with a first electrical power supply circuit (12a), a second electrical power supply circuit (12b), a connection circuit (18a) including a connection device (20a) capable of connecting the first electrical power supply circuit and the second electrical power supply circuit to each other, a control device (34), and a disconnection device (22a). The connection circuit also includes a reactor (23a) connected in series to the connection device. In a case that a failure has occurred in the supply of electrical power from a first electrical power generating device (14a) to the first electrical power supply circuit (12a), the control device executes a connection control on the connection device in a state in which the first electrical power supply circuit and the connection circuit are disconnected from the first electrical power generating device by the disconnection device.