Common wire full-wave rectifier circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC controller power supply circuits face increased manufacturing costs due to high peak input currents requiring higher-VA rated step-down transformers, and alternative solutions like voltage doublers necessitate higher-rated DC-DC converters or isolated communication.
Innovation Solution
A common wire full-wave rectifier circuit that draws current during both positive and negative cycles of AC input voltage, reducing peak input currents and eliminating the need for high-rated transformers, while providing a DC output voltage with a peak amplitude similar to the AC input voltage, thus allowing for a lower-rated downstream DC-DC converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a half-wave rectifier is used, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the peak input current increases requiring higher-VA transformers
Solution Approach 1:
The rectifier circuit is segmented into two separate capacitor branches (first capacitor branch with first current control device, second capacitor branch with second current control device) that operate in parallel. Each branch handles one half-cycle of the AC input voltage, dividing the current handling responsibility and reducing peak input current while maintaining full-wave rectification functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of both positive and negative half-cycles into a unified full-wave rectifier output. Both capacitor branches contribute to the same DC output voltage, combining their effects to provide continuous power delivery while reducing the peak current draw from the AC source compared to half-wave rectification.
2Power
If a voltage doubler circuit is used, then the DC output voltage is doubled, but higher-rated DC-DC converters are required
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit maintains the peak amplitude of the DC output voltage similar to the AC input voltage by using two separate capacitor branches that charge during opposite half-cycles. This parameter configuration prevents voltage doubling while achieving full-wave rectification, thereby allowing the use of lower-rated DC-DC converters.
3Quantity of substance
If a full-wave rectifier is used, then the peak input current is reduced, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The full-wave rectifier is segmented into two independent but parallel capacitor branches, each with its own current control device. This segmentation allows each branch to handle one half-cycle independently, simplifying the control logic while achieving reduced peak input current through full-wave operation.
4Quantity of substance
If higher-VA rated transformers are used, then the peak input current requirement is met, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the rectifier configuration to full-wave operation with two parallel capacitor branches, the peak input current parameter is reduced by half compared to half-wave rectification. This allows the use of lower-VA rated, less expensive transformers while meeting the current requirements.
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 full-wave rectifier circuit reduces peak input currents by half, eliminating the need for high-VA transformers and avoiding the doubling of DC output voltage, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and simplifying communication between HVAC devices.
Implementation Method 1
The first capacitor can be configured to store a charge responsive to the input current and the capacitor current
Implementation Method 2
The second capacitor can be configured to store a charge... The second capacitor discharges a capacitor current during the positive cycle of the input voltage responsive to the stored charge in the second capacitor
Implementation Method 3
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to a direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction... a full-wave rectifier is configured to pass both of the positive and negative half cycles of the AC waveform
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a rectifier circuit includes first and second capacitors, first and second current control devices, and a switch. The first current control device is configured to provide an input current to the first capacitor during a positive cycle of an alternating current (AC) input voltage. The second capacitor is configured to store a charge and the switch is configured to couple the second capacitor to a ground terminal so the second capacitor discharges a capacitor current during the positive cycle of the input voltage responsive to the stored charge in the second capacitor. The second current control device is configured to provide the capacitor current to the first capacitor during the positive cycle of the input voltage. The first capacitor is configured to store a charge responsive to the input current and the capacitor current.