Electronic Load Simulator Using Auxiliary Voltage Source
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to simulate the dynamic behavior of electrical and electronic loads, particularly inductive loads, with high accuracy and speed, and are not scalable, requiring costly reconfiguration and hardware modifications.
Innovation Solution
A device connected to a control unit that uses a processing unit and a power supply unit with an auxiliary voltage source to simulate current flow, allowing for rapid and flexible simulation of various loads without physically connecting real loads, enabling both current sourcing and sinking with adjustable parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real electrical/electronic loads are connected to the control unit for simulation, then the simulation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple physical loads and reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the electrical load through software simulation that replicates the electrical characteristics (resistance, inductance, capacitance) of physical loads. This virtual load model allows the control unit to be tested with simulated loads instead of requiring multiple physical loads, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining simulation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation device is designed to universally simulate various types of electrical loads (resistive, inductive, capacitive) using a single integrated system. The processing unit can dynamically configure different load characteristics through software, eliminating the need for multiple specialized physical loads and reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If real inductive loads are used for simulation, then the realism of inductive load behavior is improved, but the switching speed decreases due to physical connection and reconfiguration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical connection system with an electronic/software-based system. Instead of physically connecting and disconnecting real inductive loads, the simulation uses digital signal processing and software-controlled voltage sources to replicate inductive behavior. This substitution enables rapid switching between different load scenarios without physical reconfiguration, dramatically improving switching speed while maintaining load behavior realism through accurate electrical modeling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical loads are used for different test scenarios, then the coverage of test cases is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reconfiguration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load simulation where the processing unit can rapidly change load characteristics (resistance, inductance, capacitance values) through software control without physical reconfiguration. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different test scenarios on-demand, maintaining high versatility while significantly improving ease of operation through automated, software-driven load changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation device changes electrical parameters (resistance, inductance, capacitance) through software control rather than physical reconfiguration. The processing unit dynamically adjusts these parameters to match different load types and test scenarios, enabling comprehensive test coverage while maintaining ease of operation through parameter-based configuration instead of hardware reconfiguration.
4Measurement precision
If high current loads are simulated using physical loads, then the accuracy of high current behavior is improved, but the cost increases due to specialized hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power supply unit as an intermediary that can source or sink high currents on behalf of the control unit. Instead of requiring expensive physical high-current loads, the power supply unit acts as a mediator that replicates the electrical behavior of high-current loads through controlled current injection/extraction, maintaining accuracy while reducing manufacturing cost.
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
Enables fast and realistic simulation of load behavior, including inductive loads, with rapid switching times and scalability, reducing the need for hardware modifications and costly test setups, while allowing for high current load simulation.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one auxiliary source is configured to draw a current from the control device or impress a current on the control device based on the received control variable
Data Source
AI summary
A device connectable to a control device for simulating an effect of at least one electrical or electronic load being connected to at least one terminal of the control device includes: a processing unit configured to at least one of compute and make available a control variable corresponding to the effect of the at least one electrical or electronic load that is to be simulated, and a power supply device: The power supply device includes at least one auxiliary voltage source configured to form at least one of a current source and a current sink and configured to receive the control variable from the processing unit. The at least one auxiliary source is configured to draw a current from the control device or impress a current on the control device based on the received control variable.