Electromagnetic Drive Circuit With Temperature-Adaptive Duty Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic drive systems face challenges in safe, energy-optimized operation across wide voltage and temperature ranges, particularly at low temperatures, due to inefficient control voltage adaptation and heat loads, which can lead to reduced service life and interference emissions.

Innovation Solution

A circuit arrangement that detects temperature and control voltage characteristics to set optimal control parameters, such as duty cycle, ensuring safe and energy-efficient operation by adjusting the electromagnetic drive system's energy requirements, reducing unnecessary heat loads and increasing switching frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If time control is used to supply DC voltage to the electromagnetic drive system, then the drive system can be operated across wide voltage ranges, but unnecessary thermal stress occurs on the drive system leading to reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage range adaptabilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the duty cycle of the control voltage based on detected temperature and control voltage characteristics. The control circuit modifies the duration of voltage application to match actual drive system needs, preventing excessive thermal stress while maintaining operation across wide voltage ranges. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the time parameter (duty cycle) to both extend service life and preserve voltage adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If switched-mode operation with electronic switches is used to control the drive system, then the control voltage can be reduced, but interference voltage spectrum is generated that can negatively impact other electronic components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol voltage reductionVSAvoidinterference voltage spectrum
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action through pulse-width modulation (PWM) where the electronic switch operates in periodic cycles with variable duty cycles. The control circuit applies control voltage in periodic pulses rather than continuous DC, achieving voltage reduction and energy optimization while the periodic nature allows for controlled interference patterns. This resolves the contradiction by using periodic switching to reduce average voltage while managing interference through controlled timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the control voltage is directly applied to the drive system, then the system is simple to operate, but the supplied control voltage is not adapted to the required force curve of the mechanical system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirect voltage applicationVSAvoidforce curve adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a control circuit that detects temperature and control voltage characteristics of the drive system, then automatically adjusts the duty cycle of the control voltage accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism adapts the control voltage parameters to match the actual force curve requirements of the mechanical system while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment. The feedback resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for manual parameter matching while preserving operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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, mechanically gentle, and energy-optimized operation of electromagnetic drive systems across varying conditions, extending their service life and reducing interference emissions, while ensuring reliable triggering even at low temperatures and wide voltage ranges.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic system in the form of a coil excited by a control voltage source. A magnetic field induced by the excitation of the coil acts on a mechanical system, e.g., an armature or a lever system, and accelerates it.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4009345B1Circuit and method for the energy-optimized operation of electromagnetic drive systems
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4009345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4009345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4009345B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A circuit arrangement for actuating an electromagnetic drive system for switching a mechanical system comprises a control voltage source for generating a control voltage, a drive stage for controlling the electromagnetic drive system to switch the mechanical system during a switching operation, and a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit. The control circuit is configured to detect a first characteristic value indicating the temperature of the electromagnetic drive system and/or the ambient temperature, and a second characteristic value indicating the control voltage, and to set at least one control parameter for controlling the electromagnetic drive system based on the first and second characteristic values. The invention further relates to a method for actuating an electromagnetic drive system for switching a mechanical system.