Input Circuit Current Pulse for Reliable Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automation engineering, the miniaturization of circuitry and equipment leads to reduced input current in digital input devices, making it difficult to reliably detect signals due to increased contact resistance, especially with less expensive, lower-quality contacts.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a current-increasing device that supplies an adjustable increased current to the input circuit for a short period, allowing reliable detection of contact-encumbered signals and temporarily reducing contact resistance by detecting voltage drops and activating a switching element or resistor to decrease internal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the input current is reduced for miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the reliability of signal detection deteriorates due to increased contact resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic current pulses that temporarily increase the input current above the steady-state level. These pulses occur at regular intervals to periodically clean the contacts and maintain low contact resistance, thereby ensuring reliable signal detection throughout the device's operation while maintaining low average current for miniaturization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the current parameter dynamically by switching between low steady-state current (for power saving and miniaturization) and high pulsed current (for contact cleaning and reliable detection). This parameter change allows the system to achieve both small size and high reliability by operating in different current states at different times
2Reliability
If high-quality contacts like gold-plated contacts are used, then the contact resistance is reduced and signal detection is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive, easily manufacturable contacts instead of expensive gold-plated contacts. The low cost of these contacts is compensated by the low average current consumption enabled by the pulsed operation, making the overall system more cost-effective while maintaining reliable performance through periodic cleaning pulses
3Loss of energy
If the input current is significantly reduced, then power loss is reduced, but the ability to detect contact-encumbered signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic current pulses to periodically restore contact conductivity and enable reliable signal detection. Between pulses, the current remains low to minimize power loss. The pulses ensure that contacts remain clean and conductive, allowing the system to detect signals reliably despite operating at low average current levels
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 reliable detection of input signals even with increased contact resistance and allows for cleaning of soiled contacts, reducing power loss and preventing system overload.
Implementation Method 1
the input current can drop so far that it no longer can be reliably recognized by the input device... increasing contact resistance of the sensor contact... reduce the internal resistance of the input circuit for an adjustable period
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a communication system with monitored input state of an input device. The input device has an input connection, a ground connection and an input circuit connected between the input connection and the ground connection. The input circuit is designed to detect an input signal. A sensor device is also provided, which is connected to the input connection and optionally the ground connection. The communication system also has a current-increasing device connected to the input connection and the ground connection, which is designed to furnish an increased current for the input circuit for an adjustable time period as a function of the voltage lying on the input connection. A power supply is also provided to supply power to the sensor device.