Solid-State Relay Power Sharing for Latching Gate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state relays require continuous power to charge the control gates, leading to battery drain in portable devices, and existing architectures lack a robust power supply on the secondary side, especially in 24 VAC systems without a ground line, causing unintended load activation when too much current is drawn.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state switch system that uses a power converter to convert power from a primary voltage level to a secondary level, allowing the relay to obtain its own power from the secondary circuit, enabling latching mode and other control functionalities, and includes a negative boost circuit to prevent parasitic device activation, using a diode bridge or rectifier to rectify energy across the common and load lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous power is provided to charge control gates in solid state relays, then reliable switching control is achieved, but battery life is reduced due to continuous power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements latching mode operation where the solid state relay switches periodically to maintain gate charge without continuous power consumption. The relay alternates between conducting and blocking states, using the load current itself to recharge the control gates during each cycle, thereby achieving reliable switching control while dramatically reducing battery power consumption from continuous to periodic operation.
2Reliability
If power is continuously clocked through the isolating capacitor to charge control gates, then gate charge is maintained, but unintended load activation occurs due to excessive current draw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the solid state relay to serve itself by using the load current to recharge the control gates internally. The relay's own operational current is utilized to maintain gate charge, eliminating the need for external continuous clocking through the isolating capacitor. This self-service mechanism prevents excessive current draw that would cause unintended load activation while maintaining reliable gate charge.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If latching mode is implemented to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but continuous gate charging capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic latching mode operation where gate charging occurs at specific intervals synchronized with the AC power cycle rather than continuously. The control gates are charged during specific phases of the AC waveform when load current is available, extending battery life while maintaining sufficient gate charge through periodic reinforcement at each power cycle.
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 solution reduces power consumption by allowing the relay to latch and operate in a latching mode, minimizing battery drain and preventing unintended load activation, while providing robust control and fault detection capabilities in 24 VAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
At least one power converter is coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and is configured to convert power that is provided by the power source from a first voltage level to a second voltage level and to provide power at the second voltage level to the switch controller
Implementation Method 2
using a diode bridge or rectifier to rectify energy across the common and load lines
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state switch, comprising at least one switch controller. At least one switch having a first terminal coupled to a power source, a second terminal coupled to the power source and a control terminal coupled to the switch controller and configured to selectively conduct and block current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal. At least one power converter coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to convert power from the power source from a first voltage level to a second voltage level and to provide power at the second voltage level to the switch controller.