Remote Electronic Switch for Armored Vehicle Power Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protection systems in armored vehicles, such as magneto-thermal switches and electromechanical relays, react too slowly to current fluctuations and require overdimensioning of cabling, leading to increased weight and stiffness, which is disadvantageous for turret installations.
Innovation Solution
A remotely controlled electronic general switch with a contactless current sensor, voltage sensor, and a processor that can adjust current interruption based on real-time measurements and programmable parameters, allowing for precise control and faster response times, eliminating the need for mechanical switches and minimizing cable size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magneto-thermal switches or electromechanical relays are used for current protection, then protection function is provided, but response time is too slow (milliseconds range) and cabling must be overdimensioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromechanical relays and magneto-thermal switches with solid-state electronic switches (transistors, MOSFETs, IGBTs) that have no moving parts. This substitution enables response times in the microsecond range, dramatically improving speed while maintaining protection functionality through electronic current sensing and control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the protection system by using programmable microcontrollers that can be configured with specific current thresholds and response characteristics. This allows optimization of protection parameters for different applications without hardware changes, enabling faster response times while adapting to specific system requirements.
2Reliability
If magneto-thermal switches are used with fixed time/overcurrent tripping curve, then protection is provided, but cabling must be overdimensioned with larger diameter, increasing weight and stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protection characteristics through programmable controllers that can adjust current thresholds and response times based on actual system conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows optimization of protection settings for different operating scenarios, eliminating the need for conservative overdimensioning of cabling while maintaining reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables changeable protection parameters through software configuration of microcontrollers. Different current thresholds, time delays, and tripping characteristics can be programmed without hardware modifications, allowing precise matching of protection parameters to actual cable and system requirements, thereby minimizing cable size while ensuring protection.
3Speed
If electronic switches are used, then faster response is achieved, but current measurement capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electronic switching components with integrated current sensing circuits and microcontrollers into a unified protection device. The current sensors (Hall effect, shunt resistors, or transformer-based) are directly coupled to the control logic, enabling simultaneous current measurement and switch control within the same electronic architecture, thus achieving both fast response and accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary current sensing circuits (Hall effect sensors, current transformers, or shunt resistors) that bridge the gap between the power circuit and the electronic control system. These intermediaries provide isolated but accurate current measurements to the microcontroller, enabling precise measurement capability while maintaining the fast response of solid-state switching.
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 provides faster and more accurate current interruption, reduces cable size and weight, and allows for flexible protection settings, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of electrical systems in armored vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement circuit including a contactless current sensor and a voltage sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely controlled electronic general switch in DC power electrical supply system(s), ensuring switching and control of current and supply voltage, has an electronic module. The module has a controller or processor connected (i) to the switching and measurement circuit, the controller and measurement circuit optionally being linked bidirectionally, the controller being configured such that, when it receives a voltage and current measurement of the measurement circuit, it is respectively able to verify whether the input voltage lies in a predetermined interval and to instruct current interruption by the switching circuit for a certain duration, as a function of the measured current value, and (ii) to the communication interface, the communication interface connected to the communication bus and controller optionally being linked bidirectionally, such that the controller can be programmed remotely. An addressing bus, connected to the controller, enables selection, from several systems, a particular supply system linked to the general switch.