Protection Module Power Supply Buffering for Circuit Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current control and protective switching devices with only a control power supply loop experience frequent on-off cycles, leading to current impact injuries to circuit units, especially FETs and capacitors, reducing service life, and require simultaneous connection of control and auxiliary power supplies for normal operation, increasing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A protection module with a control power supply processing unit, auxiliary power supply processing unit, power supply converting unit, signal processing and controlling unit, trip electromagnet driving unit, control electromagnet driving unit, and man-machine interaction device, allowing for flexible external connections and eliminating the need for simultaneous connection of both power supplies, thereby reducing workload and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only a control power supply loop is provided in the protection module, then the device structure is simplified, but frequent on-off cycles cause current impact injuries to circuit units (especially FETs and capacitors), reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply structureVSAvoidservice life of circuit units
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an auxiliary power supply loop that acts as a buffer during frequent on-off cycles. When the control power supply is switched off, the auxiliary power supply continues to provide power to the circuit units, cushioning them from the harmful current impacts that would otherwise occur during frequent switching operations. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while keeping the structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If control power supply and auxiliary power supply are connected simultaneously, then normal operation is achieved, but the complexity of usage and connection workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenormal operationVSAvoidconnection workload
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the power supply system so that the auxiliary power supply automatically activates when the control power supply is switched off. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually connect both power supplies simultaneously, as the system automatically manages the power supply transitions. The user only needs to connect the control power supply, and the system handles the rest, significantly reducing connection workload while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution provides flexible and reliable operation, reducing current impact on circuit units, extending service life, and simplifying the connection process while maintaining all necessary functions, even when the auxiliary power supply is not connected.

Implementation Method 1

The power supply converting unit is connected to the control power supply processing unit and to the auxiliary power supply processing unit. The power supply converting unit is adapted to convert the first and second processed power supply signal outputted by the control power supply processing unit and the auxiliary power supply processing unit, respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Implementation Method 2

The trip electromagnet driving unit is adapted to output a first operation signal to a trip electromagnet, which is adapted to output a mechanical signal to an operation mechanism. The control electromagnet driving unit is adapted to output a second operation signal to a control electromagnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP2874260B1Protection module for control and protective switching device
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 SEARI ELECTRIC TECH CO LTD
  • EP2874260B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention discloses a protection module for a control and protective switching device, comprising a control power supply processing unit, an auxiliary power supply processing unit, a power supply converting unit, a signal processing and controlling unit, a trip electromagnet driving unit, a control electromagnet driving unit, and a man-machine interaction device . The control power supply processing unit and the auxiliary power supply processing unit receive a power supply signal from a high voltage power supply, and process the signal for supplying power for other components. The signal processing and controlling unit receives a mutual-induction signal from a current mutual inductor , outputs a first control signal and a second control signal to the trip electromagnet driving unit and the control electromagnet driving unit, and receives a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal from an operation mechanism and a control electromagnet. The trip electromagnet driving unit outputs a first operation signal to a trip electromagnet, and the trip electromagnet outputs a mechanical signal to the operation mechanism. The control electromagnet driving unit outputs a second operation signal to the control electromagnet. The man-machine interaction device performs signal interaction with the signal processing and controlling unit.