Orthogonal High-Voltage Cascade Layout for Compact Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage cascades require significant installation space, which is a constraint in compact applications such as medical X-ray systems where space is limited.

Innovation Solution

The design of a high-voltage cascade with diode circuits on orthogonally oriented additional boards and capacitor circuits arranged laterally on a main board, allowing for a compact structure with high dielectric strength, and the use of additional boards for field control and voltage measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If high-voltage cascades are designed with traditional layouts, then they achieve sufficient dielectric strength, but they require large installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoiddielectric strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional orthogonal arrangement. The additional circuit boards are oriented orthogonally to the main circuit board, creating a vertical stacking configuration that reduces the horizontal footprint while maintaining the required dielectric distances through vertical separation. This allows the high-voltage cascade to fit into compact spaces without compromising insulation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the circuit into separate modular components: a main circuit board and multiple additional circuit boards, each carrying specific circuits (capacitor circuits on main board, diode circuits on additional boards). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module's position and orientation, enabling compact orthogonal arrangement while maintaining proper dielectric spacing between high-voltage elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If additional circuit boards are used to reduce space, then installation space is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidcircuit board configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit is divided into distinct functional modules on separate boards: capacitor circuits on the main board and diode circuits on additional boards. Each board is optimized for its specific function, making the overall system more manageable despite the increased number of components. The modular segmentation allows for standardized interfaces and simplified assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional circuit boards serve multiple purposes: they carry diode circuits, provide orthogonal orientation for compact arrangement, and establish defined electric fields through their positioning and connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, offsetting the complexity increase with functional consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4404453A1High voltage cascade
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
  • EP4404453A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4404453A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4404453A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A high-voltage cascade comprises several cascade half-stages (3), each with stage inputs (4), stage outputs (5), and, between each stage input (4) and stage output (5), a capacitor circuit (6) and a diode circuit (7). The stage inputs (4) of the first cascade half-stage (3) are connected to input terminals (1) through which an input voltage (Ue) is supplied to the high-voltage cascade. One of the stage outputs (5) of the last cascade half-stage (3) is connected to one of several output terminals (2) through which an output voltage (Ua) is supplied. Furthermore, the stage outputs (5) of each cascade half-stage (3) are connected to the stage inputs (4) of the next cascade half-stage (3).The diode circuits (7) are arranged on first auxiliary boards (9) of the high-voltage cascade, which are electrically and mechanically connected to a main board (8) of the high-voltage cascade. The first auxiliary boards (9) are oriented orthogonally to the main board (8) and follow one another sequentially in a direction (x) corresponding to the electrical sequence of the cascade half-stages (3). The first auxiliary boards (9) are oriented essentially orthogonally to the direction (x). The capacitor circuits (6) of the cascade half-stages (3) are arranged laterally next to the first auxiliary boards (9) on the main board (8), corresponding to the electrical sequence of the cascade half-stages (3) and alternating on one side and the other side of the first auxiliary boards (9).