Electronic Module Transistor Circuit Switch-On Current Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic modules face challenges in limiting high switch-on current surges during the switching process, which can lead to contact destruction in mechanical components and exceed permissible values in electronic components, necessitating a solution that is both effective and adaptable to changes in transistor behavior due to temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
An electronic module with a transistor circuit that gradually reduces contact resistance in steps to limit input current, using a control device to switch the control voltage at the transistor's control terminal, allowing the module to maintain current limitation without explicit adaptation to changing transistor behavior, and utilizing a current mirror circuit for stable control voltage generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the input capacitance is connected directly to the source terminal, then the module can be switched on quickly, but a high switch-on current surge occurs that can destroy contact faces or exceed permissible current values
Solution Approach 1:
A transistor circuit is introduced as an intermediary between the source terminal and the input capacitance. The transistor's switching path acts as a controlled conduit that limits the switch-on current surge while still allowing the capacitance to be charged, thereby protecting contact faces and electronic components from excessive current.
Solution Approach 2:
The control voltage at the transistor's control terminal is changed in a plurality of steps from an off value to a connection value. This stepwise parameter change allows the transistor's contact resistance to be gradually reduced, thereby controlling the switch-on current surge while maintaining relatively quick switching performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a transistor circuit is used to limit the switch-on current, then the current surge is reduced, but the transistor's behavior changes with temperature requiring explicit adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The transistor circuit automatically compensates for temperature-induced behavior changes through its inherent electrical characteristics. As temperature varies, the transistor's parameters change, but the control device simply applies the same stepped control voltage sequence, and the transistor self-adjusts its switching behavior accordingly without requiring explicit temperature compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method uses a standardized stepped control voltage approach that works across different temperature conditions. The transistor circuit's natural parameter changes with temperature are accommodated by the robust stepped control strategy, which maintains current limitation effectiveness without needing explicit adaptation.
3Measurement precision
If feedback loops or complex control systems are used to maintain current limitation, then current control precision is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transistor circuit inherently maintains current limitation through its controlled resistance characteristics during the switching process. The circuit serves itself by using the transistor's natural electrical behavior in response to stepped control voltages to limit current, eliminating the need for external feedback loops or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex feedback and control systems are extracted and removed from the design. Instead, a simple control device that applies predetermined stepped control voltages is used, leveraging the transistor circuit's inherent current-limiting capability to achieve the desired current control precision without additional complexity.
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 approach effectively limits the switch-on current surge, ensuring the module operates within safe limits regardless of temperature changes, reducing switching complexity and costs, and maintaining current limitation without the need for feedback loops or complex control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a control device is configured to switch, during a switch-on process for limiting the input current, a control voltage at a respective control terminal of the at least one transistor, in a plurality of steps, from an off value at which each switching path is switched off or is electrically non-conductive, to a connection value at which a contact resistance of each switching path is minimized
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a current mirror circuit for stable control voltage generation
Implementation Method 3
An input capacitance of the module is effective with respect to the source terminal, for which reason a switch-on current strength of the input current has to be limited when the module is switched on
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an electronic module comprising a source terminal for receiving an input current from an electrical voltage source and comprising an electrical input capacitance which is effective with respect to the source terminal, wherein the input capacitance is connected to the source terminal via a transistor circuit. The disclosure additionally provides that the transistor circuit is configured to conduct the input current via a respective switching path of at least one transistor, and a control device is configured to switch, during the switch-on process for limiting the input current, a control voltage at a respective control terminal of the at least one transistor, in a plurality of steps, from an off value at which each switching path is switched off, to a connection value at which a contact resistance of each switching path is minimized.