Switch Drive Control Circuit With Adaptive Reference Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for controlling switch drives are limited in their ability to evaluate input signals across a wide range of external operating voltages, as they do not account for the voltage level at which these signals were formed, restricting their universal applicability.

Innovation Solution

A device that generates an internal reference voltage proportional to the external operating voltage, allowing it to evaluate input signals and control the switch drive effectively, using a preprocessing device and a switching element to determine the logic level of the binary signal, and an optocoupler for potential isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed reference voltage is used in existing devices, then the device can operate at a specific voltage level, but the device cannot evaluate input signals across a wide range of external operating voltages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to evaluate input signals across different voltage levelsVSAvoidcomplexity of voltage adaptation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference voltage is changed from a fixed value to a variable value that adapts to the external operating voltage. The reference voltage circuit generates an internal reference voltage that is proportional to the external operating voltage, allowing the device to evaluate input signals across different voltage levels (20V to 200V) by dynamically adjusting the reference voltage parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to universally handle multiple voltage levels by incorporating a reference voltage circuit that automatically adapts to the external operating voltage. This allows the same device to evaluate input signals formed at different voltage levels without requiring separate devices for each voltage range, achieving multi-functionality across voltage domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the device uses a simple voltage comparison mechanism, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot accurately evaluate input signals with varying voltage levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of input signal evaluationVSAvoidcomplexity of reference voltage circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference voltage parameter is dynamically changed based on the external operating voltage to maintain accurate signal evaluation. The reference voltage circuit ensures that the comparison voltage matches the expected input signal level, enabling precise evaluation across different voltage ranges without requiring overly complex measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device is designed for a specific voltage range, then the device can operate reliably at that voltage, but the device lacks versatility for other voltage levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of operable voltage levelsVSAvoidreliability of operation across different voltages
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reference voltage parameter is dynamically adjusted to match the external operating voltage, ensuring reliable operation across different voltage levels. By maintaining the proportional relationship between reference voltage and external operating voltage, the device achieves both adaptability to various voltage ranges and reliability within each range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the device to process input signals formed across various voltage levels, from 20 V to 200 V, ensuring versatility and reliable operation by generating an internal reference voltage that accounts for the expected signal levels, thus overcoming the limitations of previous devices.

Implementation Method 1

The preprocessing device preferably has an optocoupler which generates the binary signal on the output side, the logic level of the binary signal depending on the current flow through the preprocessing device. An optocoupler advantageously enables potential isolation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptocoupler effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2663985B1Device and method for controlling a switch drive of an electric switch
Publication Date: 2014.10.29 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2663985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2663985B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2663985B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a device (4) for controlling a switch drive (M) of an electric switch with a control apparatus (10), which is suitable for evaluating an input signal, which is present at a binary input (6a, 6b, 6c) of the device (4) on the input side and which is produced by means of an external operating voltage (Usk), and for controlling the switch drive (M) according to the input signal present on the input side. According to the invention, the device (4) has a reference voltage circuit (50), which is suitable for creating an internal reference voltage (Ui) by means of the external operating voltage (Usk), the device has a pre-processing apparatus (70, 71, 72), which is suitable for producing a binary signal (B70, B71, B72) by means of the input signal present at the binary input (6a, 6b, 6c), the logic level of said binary signal depending on the level of the input signal and the level of the reference voltage (Ui), and the control apparatus (10) of the device (4) is connected indirectly or directly to the pre-processing apparatus (70, 71, 72) and evaluates the binary signal (B70, B71, B72) of the pre-processing apparatus (70, 71, 72).