Power Supply Unit Dynamic Impedance Control for Short Circuit Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply devices face challenges in efficiently managing high discharge currents during short circuits, leading to overheating and potential damage to connected loads due to the lack of control over the amplitude of output voltage when excessive current is detected.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device with a protective element that reduces output voltage and increases output current above a second amplitude threshold to efficiently interrupt the signal output path, while also allowing for voltage recovery and further attempts to interrupt the path after predetermined periods, utilizing a detection device and control mechanism to manage current and voltage thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a capacitor is connected in parallel to the output to provide high current for interrupting the electrical connection, then the interrupting capability is improved, but the discharge current becomes difficult to control and can cause overheating of connecting cables and damage to other loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterrupting capabilityVSAvoidoverheating and damage to loads
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the output impedance adjustable rather than fixed. The power supply device can dynamically change its output impedance between a first impedance value (providing high current for interrupting) and a second impedance value (limiting discharge current to prevent overheating). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to have both high interrupting capability and controlled discharge current depending on the operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter of output impedance to resolve the contradiction. By switching between two distinct impedance values, the system can provide high current when needed for protection while limiting the discharge current to safe levels. This parameter change approach allows the same power supply device to serve dual purposes: effective fault interruption and safe capacitor discharge control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If the impedance of the power supply output is reduced to increase the amplitude of the output voltage, then the voltage amplitude is improved, but the current amplitude used to interrupt the signal output path increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltage amplitudeVSAvoidoutput current amplitude
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the output impedance adjustable rather than fixed. The power supply device can dynamically change its output impedance between a first impedance value (providing high current for interrupting) and a second impedance value (limiting discharge current to prevent overheating). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to have both high interrupting capability and controlled discharge current depending on the operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter of output impedance to resolve the contradiction. By switching between two distinct impedance values, the system can provide high current when needed for protection while limiting the discharge current to safe levels. This parameter change approach allows the same power supply device to serve dual purposes: effective fault interruption and safe capacitor discharge control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3138170B1Power supply unit
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3138170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3138170B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3138170B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a power supply unit (100) having: an output (101) for outputting an output current and an output voltage; and a protective element (103) having a signal output path (105), wherein the protective element (103) is connected downstream of the output (101) and designed to maintain the signal output path (105) when the output current exceeds a first amplitude threshold value and to interrupt the signal output path (105) when the output current exceeds a second amplitude threshold value, the second amplitude threshold value being higher than the first amplitude threshold value; wherein the power supply unit (100) is designed to reduce an amplitude of the output voltage and to increase an amplitude of the output current above the second amplitude threshold value, in order to interrupt the signal output path (105), when the output current exceeds the first amplitude threshold value.