Dynamic Isolation Switch for Agricultural Vehicle Control Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control electronics for agricultural and forestry vehicles lack cost-effective solutions for achieving potential-free communication networks, which are essential for minimizing interference and meeting isolation impedance requirements, leading to increased complexity and production costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bridging element, such as a bypass switch or diode, that is electrically insulating in the off state and conductive in the on state to connect the two supply networks, ensuring a minimum isolation impedance is maintained only when the system is off, allowing for temporary conductive coupling during operation, thereby reducing the need for isolated signal paths and lowering production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If two potential-free supply networks are completely electrically isolated to meet isolation impedance requirements, then communication interference is minimized, but device complexity and production costs increase due to requiring isolated signal paths and multiple isolation components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the isolation impedance dynamic rather than static. A switching element (transistor or MOSFET) is used to dynamically change the isolation impedance between two states: a high impedance state during normal operation that prevents interference, and a low impedance state during startup that allows potential equalization. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing complete isolation when needed while eliminating the need for permanent complex isolation structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of isolation impedance from a fixed high value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted between high and low states. By controlling the switching element, the isolation impedance is modified according to operational requirements, allowing the system to achieve both complete isolation during communication and simplified connectivity during startup without requiring multiple permanent isolation components.
2Reliability
If complete DC isolation is implemented between supply networks using multiple isolation components, then potential-free communication is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces production costs by replacing multiple permanent isolation components with a single dynamic switching element. The transistor or MOSFET provides the necessary isolation functionality during normal operation while allowing simplified connectivity during startup, thereby reducing component count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable potential-free communication when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching element serves multiple functions: it acts as an isolation component during normal operation to maintain potential-free communication, and as a connectivity element during startup to equalize potentials. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate isolation components for each function, reducing overall production costs while maintaining reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If permanent high isolation impedance is maintained between supply networks, then interference is minimized, but the ability to temporarily equalize potentials during startup is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the isolation impedance dynamic. The switching element allows the system to adapt between two states: high impedance for interference prevention during normal operation, and low impedance for potential equalization during startup. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to temporarily equalize potentials when needed while maintaining interference minimization during communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially transitioning the isolation impedance between high and low states. During startup, the switching element is activated to equalize potentials, then deactivated to establish high isolation impedance for normal operation. This periodic switching between isolation states enables both temporary potential equalization and continuous interference prevention.
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 allows for cost-effective production of control electronics that meet the necessary isolation impedance requirements, reducing complexity and maintaining data transmission integrity while minimizing interference between communication and power networks.
Implementation Method 1
a bridging element, such as a bypass switch or diode, that is electrically insulating in the off state and conductive in the on state to connect the two supply networks
Implementation Method 2
a bridging element, such as a bypass switch or diode, that is electrically insulating in the off state and conductive in the on state to connect the two supply networks
Data Source
AI summary
Control electronics for an agricultural or forestry vehicle or machine having power connections at least for a first supply network and a second supply network and having at least one network connection, the control electronics comprising a communication circuit configured to transmit data via the network connection and supplied via the first supply network; a logic circuit coupled to the communication circuit, the logic circuit having at least one control output for controlling an electrical load supplied via the second supply network, the logic circuit being connected to the second supply network via an internal supply line and an internal ground line and configured to be supplied via the second supply network, and an isolating switch arranged in the internal supply line or the internal ground line of the logic circuit and configured to interrupt the logic circuit if the second supply network is interrupted.