Self-Powered Current Sensor for Sudden Change Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional current sensors face challenges in miniaturization and high cost due to complex circuit designs requiring additional power sources, which result in intermittent sampling and high power consumption, making it difficult to detect sudden current changes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A current sensor unit comprising a rectification module, a power source conversion module with an energy storage element, a mode switching module, and a control module that converts AC current to pulsed DC current, allowing for continuous current detection and efficient power management by switching between charging and energy release modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional power source is used to supply power to electronic components, then the current sensor can operate continuously, but the circuit design becomes complex and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply function and current detection function into a single mutual inductor structure. The mutual inductor serves dual purposes: providing power to electronic components through its secondary winding and detecting current through the same structure, eliminating the need for separate power sources and reducing circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mutual inductor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a power transformer and a current sensor. The primary winding provides power isolation and transformation, while the secondary winding provides both power output and current detection capability, making the device universally applicable for both power supply and monitoring purposes
2Adaptability or versatility
If time division multiplexing is used to supply power and sampling, then the mutual inductor can serve both purposes, but the sampling becomes intermittent and sudden current changes cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous sampling by maintaining the current sensor module permanently connected to the secondary side of the mutual inductor. Unlike time division multiplexing that alternates between power supply and sampling modes, this design allows simultaneous power supply and continuous current monitoring, ensuring no current changes are missed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mutual inductor into distinct functional modules: primary winding for power input, secondary winding for power output and detection, and a separate current sensor module. This segmentation allows the current detection function to operate independently and continuously without being interrupted by power supply cycles
3Reliability
If continuous power supply is provided to electronic components, then the current sensor can continuously detect current, but the voltage-limiting device must tolerate high power resulting in high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing power only when and where needed. The voltage-limiting device on the secondary side receives power only during periods when the primary side is energized, and the current sensor module draws power only during detection periods. This localized, demand-based power supply reduces overall power consumption while maintaining continuous detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action where the primary side is energized in cycles, and the current sensor module operates during these periods to detect current. This periodic operation allows continuous monitoring capability while reducing average power consumption compared to constant power supply, as the high-power voltage-limiting device is active only when needed
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 continuous current detection, improves sampling precision, and reduces power consumption by managing power supply effectively, preventing sudden current change events and minimizing high power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a rectification module, configured to convert an AC current to a pulsed DC current
Implementation Method 2
a power source conversion module containing an energy storage element, connected to the rectification module and configured to store energy for the energy storage element based upon the pulsed DC current during operation in a charging mode
Implementation Method 3
to generate a power supply current based upon a voltage of the energy storage element
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a current sensor unit includes: a rectification module, to convert an AC current to a pulsed DC current; a conversion module containing an energy storage element, to store energy based upon the pulsed DC current during a charging mode and to generate a power supply current based upon a voltage of the energy storage element; a mode switching module, bypassed by the conversion module during operation in the charging mode, and bypassing the conversion module during operation in an energy release mode; a current sensor module, to detect a pulsed DC current flowing back from the conversion module or mode switching module; a control module, to acquire electrical energy from the power supply current, determine that operation is in the charging mode or energy release mode based upon the voltage of the energy storage element, and acquire a detection value provided by the current sensor module.