Guard Locking Electromagnet Energy Storage Fieldbus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guard locking devices with electromagnets, when connected to fieldbuses like AS-i bus, face limitations due to high current or voltage requirements, necessitating additional separate lines for auxiliary voltage supply, which complicates wiring and increases device size.

Innovation Solution

A guard locking device with an electromagnet that uses a switching regulator connected in series with a constant current source and an energy store, allowing energy supply via fieldbus, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary voltage lines by managing energy requirements through a constant current source and capacitor, enabling efficient energy management and reduced wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If guard locking devices are connected to fieldbuses for power supply, then wiring complexity is reduced, but the limited current supply capability of fieldbuses cannot meet the high current requirements of electromagnets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring complexityVSAvoidcurrent supply capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor is pre-charged during the holding phase (low energy requirement state) to store energy before the tightening phase (high energy requirement state) begins. This preliminary energy storage enables the electromagnet to receive sufficient current during tightening without requiring increased fieldbus current capacity, thus maintaining simple wiring while meeting high current demands when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system operates in periodic cycles between holding phase and tightening phase, with the capacitor being charged during the extended holding phase and discharged during the shorter tightening phase. This periodic energy transfer allows the fieldbus to supply average current within its limits while the capacitor provides peak current supplementation during tightening, resolving the contradiction between limited fieldbus current capability and high electromagnet current requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If separate auxiliary voltage lines are added to provide sufficient current, then electromagnet current requirements are met, but device complexity and wiring complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnet currentVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the fieldbus and the electromagnet. It receives energy from the fieldbus during low-demand periods and releases it during high-demand periods, mediating the mismatch between the fieldbus's limited continuous current supply and the electromagnet's peak current requirements. This eliminates the need for separate auxiliary voltage lines while ensuring sufficient current delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the current supply parameters by switching between holding phase (lower current, capacitor charging) and tightening phase (higher current, capacitor discharging). The capacitor's charge/discharge cycles change the effective current delivery characteristics, allowing the system to meet high current requirements during tightening without requiring the fieldbus to continuously provide high current, thus avoiding additional wiring complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If high current is continuously supplied to the electromagnet, then locking force is maintained, but energy consumption increases and fieldbus current limits are exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking forceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial current during the holding phase (just sufficient to maintain the armature position) rather than continuous high current, and supplements with capacitor discharge during the tightening phase to achieve the necessary locking force. This partial action during holding reduces average energy consumption while meeting fieldbus current limits, and the capacitor provides excessive current only when needed for tightening, optimizing the balance between locking force and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 configuration allows for simple energy supply configuration, reduces device size, and achieves high locking force without current peaks, enabling efficient operation and reduced complexity in wiring and component usage.

Implementation Method 1

an energy store (7) which, during a state with low energy requirements, charges and, during a state with high energy requirements, provides the energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Electromagnets are used which have an armature which can be actuated in accordance with the control of a solenoid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP2385533B1Holder with an electromagnet
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 K A SCHMERSAL HLDG
  • EP2385533B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The tumbler (1) has electromagnets (2) controlled by a controller (4) in two conditions with different power requirements. A switching regulator (5) fed from a field bus i.e. actuator sensor-interface bus, is provided as a voltage supplier that is connected in series with a power source (6). The power source forms a Kirchhoff junction between the switching regulator and an energy storage (7). The junction is connected with the controller for the electromagnets. The energy storage is charged during a condition of low power requirement for providing energy for higher power requirement.