Electric Short-Circuit Device Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric short-circuit devices in power converters often rely on pyrotechnic drives, which pose safety concerns due to the use of explosive materials.
Innovation Solution
An electric short-circuit device utilizing an actuator to apply mechanical force to a semiconducting crystalline component, disrupting its crystal structure and allowing current flow between contact pieces, eliminating the need for pyrotechnic drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pyrotechnic drives are used for fast closure of the short-circuit device, then the closure speed is improved, but safety problems arise due to the use of explosive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pyrotechnic drive system with a mechanically actuated system using a spring mechanism and cam structure. The spring provides the mechanical force for rapid closure while the cam ensures controlled actuation, eliminating explosive materials entirely while maintaining fast closure capability through mechanical energy storage and release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pre-compressed spring that stores excessive mechanical energy, which is then partially released to achieve the required closure speed. This allows the system to attain the necessary actuation force and speed without requiring pyrotechnic explosives, using only a portion of the spring's stored energy for the critical closure action.
2Volume of moving object
If the component is made thin to enable compact design, then the device compactness is improved, but the mechanical force required to destroy the crystal structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cam structure as an intermediary mechanical element that concentrates and amplifies the applied force onto the thin semiconductor component. The cam's geometric shape creates a mechanical advantage, allowing the thin component to be subjected to sufficient localized stress for crystal structure breakdown without requiring the entire device to be large or complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the thin semiconductor component with robust mechanical elements (spring, cam, contact pieces). This composite design allows the semiconductor layer to remain thin for compactness while the supporting mechanical structures provide the necessary force transmission and structural integrity.
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 enables safe and efficient short-circuiting of modules in power converters, ensuring continuous operation by allowing current flow without the risks associated with pyrotechnic materials, and can be designed for compactness and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
an (electric) actuator (drive element) that is designed to apply a mechanical force to the component in response to an electric trigger signal and thereby at least partly destroy the crystal structure of the component
Implementation Method 2
the actuator is an (electric) piezo actuator
Data Source
AI summary
An electric short-circuit device has a first electric contact piece, a second electric contact piece, and a component made of an electrical semiconductor crystalline material which blocks the flow of an electric current between the first contact piece and the second contact piece in at least one direction. An actuator is configured to apply a mechanical force to the component in response to an electric trigger signal and thereby at least partly destroy the crystalline structure of the component.