Single Threshold Current Surge Limiter Circuit Disable Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current limiting circuits for electrical devices with peak current demands exceeding average current requirements are complex and costly due to the need for capacitors, particularly in strobe units where initial and repetitive peak currents are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A current limiting circuit with a current sensor and timing control that limits current flow for a predetermined interval, allowing capacitors to be charged efficiently without additional capacitors, enabling flexible candela settings and reducing inventory costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If current limiting circuitry is incorporated into strobe units to limit initial and repetitive peak currents, then current surge is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring additional capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current limiting function from a separate analog circuit with capacitors and integrates it into the existing control circuitry. The microprocessor-based control system now performs current limiting through software control of the power stage, eliminating the need for separate analog current limiting components and their associated capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/analog current limiting approach (using physical capacitors and analog circuitry) with a digital/electronic control approach. The microprocessor monitors current conditions and controls the power stage switching to achieve current limiting, substituting physical passive components with active digital control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If current limiting circuitry with capacitors is used to smooth and limit peak currents, then current draw is controlled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the control circuitry multi-functional by having it perform both the original control functions and the current limiting function. The same microprocessor and control circuit that manage the strobe operation also monitor current draw and implement limiting when needed, eliminating the need for separate current limiting components and reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the dedicated current limiting capacitors and analog circuitry from the design, extracting only the essential current limiting function and implementing it through the existing digital control system. This reduction in components directly lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining current surge protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If analog current limiting circuitry is implemented, then current surge is limited, but the circuit requires additional capacitors that add complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the analog current limiting circuitry with digital control. Instead of using physical capacitors and analog components to limit current, the microprocessor monitors current conditions and controls the power stage switching to achieve the same current limiting effect, eliminating the need for additional capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the current limiting function from the analog domain and implements it in the digital control domain. By removing the dedicated current limiting capacitors and analog circuitry, the design reduces component count while maintaining the essential current surge protection functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit which limits current to a first value until a predetermined time has elapsed, then permits the current to rise to a second, acceptable value. The current limiting can be carried out during a predetermined time interval by a biased semiconductor switch. Subsequent to the current limiting time interval, the semiconductor switch can be saturated enabling the current to increase.