Parallel Conductor Current Sensing for Contactless High-Current Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current measuring technologies lack the capability for contactless measurement of high currents, which limits their effectiveness and accuracy, especially in environments where direct contact is not feasible or safe.
Innovation Solution
A current measuring arrangement comprising a first electrical conductor with a low resistance and a second electrical conductor with a higher resistance, both below 0.1Ω, in parallel, along with a hall sensor and a calculation unit that calculates the total current based on the measured current and resistance ratios, allowing for contactless measurement of high currents by concentrating magnetic flux within a magnetic core to minimize interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct contact measurement methods are used for high currents, then measurement capability is achieved, but safety risks and measurement accuracy deteriorate due to high voltage and magnetic field interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second electrical conductor with higher resistance as an intermediary element. This conductor is connected in parallel to the first low-resistance conductor, allowing the measurement system to indirectly measure high currents through the intermediary conductor where a hall sensor can safely measure the magnetic field without direct contact with high current paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical contact measurement methods with contactless magnetic field measurement using a hall sensor. Instead of measuring current through direct electrical connection, the system measures the magnetic field generated by the current, eliminating the need for physical contact with high voltage and high current environments
2Reliability
If hall sensors are used for contactless measurement, then safety is improved, but measuring range and sensitivity deteriorate for high current applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the current measurement function into two parts: the first low-resistance conductor carries the high current, while the second higher-resistance conductor carries a portion of the current that generates a measurable magnetic field. The hall sensor measures the magnetic field from the second conductor, and the measurement system calculates the total current based on the known resistance ratio, effectively extending the hall sensor's measuring range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resistance parameter of the measurement conductor. By using a second conductor with higher resistance (但仍低于0.1Ω) compared to the first conductor, the system optimizes the magnetic field strength for hall sensor detection while maintaining safety and measurement accuracy for high current applications
3Measurement precision
If parallel conductor configuration is used, then current measurement capability is improved, but power loss increases due to higher resistance of the second conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the resistance parameter of the second conductor, ensuring it remains below 0.1Ω. This parameter optimization allows the conductor to have sufficiently high resistance to generate a measurable magnetic field for the hall sensor, while simultaneously keeping the resistance low enough to minimize power losses in the parallel conductor configuration
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 accurate measurement of high currents with reduced magnetic field interference, expanding the measuring range of hall sensors and ensuring safety by minimizing the current through the secondary conductor, thus allowing for the use of smaller sensors and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a hall sensor, which is prepared to measure a current through the second electrical conductor
Implementation Method 2
concentrating magnetic flux within a magnetic core to minimize interference
Data Source
AI summary
A current measuring arrangement includes a first electrical conductor having a first resistance and a second electrical conductor switched in parallel and having a second, higher resistance, wherein both the first resistance and the second resistance are each below 0.1Ω. The arrangement further includes a hall sensor, which is prepared to measure a current through the second electrical conductor, and a calculation unit, which is connected to the hall sensor and which is designed to calculate a total current through the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor based on the current measured by the hall sensor. A switching device provides a comparable functionality.