Mechanical Switch Drive Power Supply With Capacitor Degradation Diagnosis

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capacitor degradation diagnosis systems for mechanical switches require additional circuits and sensors, leading to increased size and cost of the power supply device.

Innovation Solution

A drive power supply system for mechanical switches that includes a charging circuit to diagnose capacitor degradation by detecting charging current and voltage, eliminating the need for dedicated diagnosis devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated degradation diagnosis device with discharging circuit, current detection circuit, voltage detection circuit, and computation unit is mounted on the power supply device, then capacitor degradation can be diagnosed, but the power supply device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitor degradation diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidpower supply device size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The charging circuit is designed to perform dual functions: charging the capacitor during normal operation and serving as the discharging circuit for degradation diagnosis. By making the charging circuit multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate discharging circuit, thereby preventing power supply device upsizing while maintaining capacitor degradation diagnosis capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the charging circuit and discharging circuit into a single integrated circuit. The charging circuit charges the capacitor when the switch is off, and the same circuit discharges the capacitor when the switch is on during degradation diagnosis. This merging of functions reduces the number of components and prevents increase in power supply device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional sensors for detecting current and voltage, and computation elements for processing are provided, then capacitor degradation diagnosis is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitor degradation diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The charging circuit is designed to perform dual functions: charging the capacitor during normal operation and serving as the discharging circuit for degradation diagnosis. By making the charging circuit multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate discharging circuit, thereby preventing power supply device upsizing while maintaining capacitor degradation diagnosis capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the charging circuit and discharging circuit into a single integrated circuit. The charging circuit charges the capacitor when the switch is off, and the same circuit discharges the capacitor when the switch is on during degradation diagnosis. This merging of functions reduces the number of components and prevents increase in power supply device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 capacitor degradation diagnosis with a downsized configuration, reducing the overall size and cost of the power supply device.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor (C1), and a switch (320b) connected between the capacitor (C1) and the coil (42)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a coil (42) that receives supply of the drive current and opens or closes the mechanical contact (40)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS20260018357A1Drive power supply for mechanical switch, power supply device, and method for diagnosing degradation

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 TMEIC CORP

AI summary

A mechanical switch includes a mechanical contact, and a coil that receives supply of a drive current from a drive power supply and opens or closes the mechanical contact. The drive power supply includes a capacitor, and a switch connected between the capacitor and the coil. The switch is temporarily turned on in order to turn on/off the mechanical switch, and supplies the drive current from the capacitor to the coil. The drive power supply further includes a charging circuit that charges the capacitor in an OFF period of the switch, a detection circuit that detects a charging current and a voltage of the capacitor, and a diagnosis circuit that diagnoses a degradation state of the capacitor from the detected charging current and voltage.