Input Power Measurement in Building Technology Operating Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating devices for building technology systems, such as lighting systems, face inaccuracies in determining input power, especially with small loads, due to reliance on converter stage properties and control parameters.

Innovation Solution

The use of a control unit within the operating device to measure input voltage and input current directly, allowing for precise determination of input power without additional hardware components, thereby improving accuracy and reducing costs and space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If input power is estimated based on converter stage properties and control parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs self-measurement of input voltage and input current using its own measurement capabilities, without requiring external measurement devices. This allows the operating device to determine input power directly through self-service measurement, resolving the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If additional hardware components are added for input power measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it both controls the converter stage and measures input voltage and input current. By making the control unit universal and multi-functional, the patent achieves precise input power measurement without adding separate dedicated measurement hardware, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement functions for input voltage and input current are merged into the existing control unit rather than being implemented as separate hardware components. This consolidation allows the operating device to achieve accurate input power measurement while maintaining simplicity in the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If additional hardware components are added for input power measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it both controls the converter stage and measures input voltage and input current. By making the control unit universal and multi-functional, the patent achieves precise input power measurement without adding separate dedicated measurement hardware, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement functions for input voltage and input current are merged into the existing control unit rather than being implemented as separate hardware components. This consolidation allows the operating device to achieve accurate input power measurement while maintaining simplicity in the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3682714B1Input power measurement in an operating device for building technology devices
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3682714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3682714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3682714B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention discloses an operating device (2) for electrically power at least one building technology device (10), in particular a illuminant section having at least one illuminant, wherein the operating device (2) comprises an input (E2, E2',E2") for electrically connecting an electric power supply (9), in particular an AC voltage source, an output (A2, A2', A2") for electrically connecting at least one building technology device (10), an electrical supply path having at least one converter stage (6), preferably a PFC circuit, which connects electrically the input (E2, Ε2', E2") and the output (A2, Α2', A2") of the operating device (2) to one another, and a control unit (7), which is designed for controlling the at least one converter stage (6); wherein the control unit (7) is configured, for the purpose of measuring the input power, to measure an input voltage and an input current of the electrical supply path between the input (E2, Ε2', E2") of the operating device (2) and of the at least one converter stage (6). The present invention further discloses a building technology apparatus having such an operating device according to the invention and a method for measuring an input power of such an operating device according to the invention.