HVDC Soft-Start Circuit Arc-Free Hot Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage direct current (HVDC) technology poses a risk of arc discharge and fire due to non-zero voltage conditions, leading to connector damage and safety hazards, and existing solutions increase connector size and require specific materials, making them difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage direct current soft-start circuit comprising a drive control unit, first and second switches, and a connector configuration that delays the turn-on of the second switch to prevent arc generation during hot plugging and instant disconnection during unplugging, ensuring no current passes through the contact points, thus avoiding arc discharge without modifying the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent magnet is added to the connector to attract and extinguish electric arcs, then arc extinguishing capability is improved, but the connector size increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/magnetic arc extinguishing system (permanent magnets) with an electronic control system consisting of a drive control unit, switches, and control circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky magnetic components while achieving arc suppression through controlled switching operations that prevent arc formation during hot plugging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the connector by introducing controlled switching sequences. The drive control unit manages the turn-on and turn-off timing of switches to ensure that contact points are not conducting current during plugging/unplugging operations, thereby preventing arcs without requiring physical modifications to the connector structure
2Reliability
If a permanent magnet is added to the connector to attract and extinguish electric arcs, then arc extinguishing capability is improved, but manufacturing requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/magnetic arc extinguishing system (permanent magnets) with an electronic control system consisting of a drive control unit, switches, and control circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky magnetic components while achieving arc suppression through controlled switching operations that prevent arc formation during hot plugging
Solution Approach 2:
The drive control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the switching operations, manages the soft-start sequence, and prevents arc formation during hot plugging. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized components, simplifying manufacturing
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the connector is modified to include arc extinguishing features, then arc discharge is prevented, but the connector becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the arc prevention function from the physical connector structure and relocates it to an electronic control system. The connector itself remains unmodified, while the drive control unit handles arc prevention through controlled switching, separating the mechanical connector from the control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The drive control unit acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the connector. It mediates the power flow by controlling switch operations, ensuring that no current flows through the connector contacts during plugging/unplugging, thereby preventing arcs without modifying the connector
4Power
If high voltage direct current is used to increase power output, then power capability is improved, but arc discharge risk and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using the drive control unit to pre-establish safe operating conditions before high voltage direct current is applied. The control unit manages the soft-start sequence and ensures switches are in safe states, preventing arc discharge risks associated with high power HVDC operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit provides feedback to the drive control unit about the operational state of the connector and switches. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and adjust switching operations in real-time, preventing arc discharge conditions while maintaining high power output capability
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a high voltage direct current soft-start circuit in which a first end of a first switch is connected to a negative electrode of a high voltage direct current, a first end of a second switch is connected to the negative electrode of the high voltage direct current, and a drive control unit is connected separately to the first switch, the second switch, and a load, where a first part of a connector is connected to the drive control unit, and upon power-on, the first part of the connector communicates with a second part of the connector, to trigger the drive control unit to drive the first switch to turn on; and the drive control unit delays a preset time after driving the first switch to turn on, drives the second switch to turn on, and drives the load to start after the second switch is turned on. In the embodiments of the present invention, a connector can be inserted and disconnected without generating an electric arc, thereby avoiding generating an arc discharge, and implementing arc-free hot plugging of a high voltage direct current power supply apparatus; moreover, no improvement needs to be made to the connector itself, so that the connector has a relatively small size.