Timer Apparatus Voltage Stabilization via Dynamic Capacitor Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional timer apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing input voltage across a wide range, leading to delayed power-on and power-off detection and increased heat generation due to insufficient capacitor capacity, especially when dealing with high input voltages.
Innovation Solution
A timer apparatus incorporating a smoothing circuit with a switching mechanism that adjusts capacitor capacity based on input voltage, using multiple capacitors in parallel or series configurations to stabilize power supply and reduce heat generation, along with a voltage dividing circuit to prevent excessive voltage application and a detecting circuit for accurate voltage detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a capacitor is connected in parallel to the timer circuit to stabilize voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but power-on and power-off detection is delayed due to charge accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The smoothing circuit is divided into multiple branches with different capacitor configurations. The first branch contains a capacitor connected in parallel to the timer circuit for voltage stabilization, while the second branch contains a capacitor connected in series with a resistor for fast discharge during power-off detection. This segmentation allows different capacitors to perform different functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between voltage stability and detection speed.
2Loss of time
If the capacitor capacity is increased to reduce detection delay, then power-on and power-off detection is improved, but heat generation in the step-down circuit is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the smoothing circuit have different capacitor configurations tailored to their specific functions. The first branch uses a smaller capacitor for voltage stabilization, while the second branch uses a larger capacitor for fast discharge during detection events. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve fast detection without requiring all capacitors to be large, thereby reducing overall heat generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the timer apparatus is designed to handle wide range of AC or DC input voltage, then adaptability is improved, but current consumption is excessively increased when input voltage is high
Solution Approach 1:
The smoothing circuit dynamically adjusts its behavior based on input voltage conditions. During normal operation, the circuit maintains voltage stability with minimal current consumption. During power-on and power-off events, the circuit quickly discharges capacitors to enable fast detection, then returns to low-consumption mode. This dynamic operation allows wide voltage range adaptability without excessive continuous current consumption.
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
The solution effectively stabilizes input voltage, reduces heat generation in the step-down circuit, and minimizes time lag in power supply initiation, ensuring accurate time counting operations across varying input voltages.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitor C is connected in parallel to the timer circuit T. Because the capacitor C is connected in parallel to the timer circuit T, the capacitor C can stabilize a voltage supplied to the timer circuit T.
Implementation Method 2
The timer apparatus includes the timer power-supply circuit TC and a timer circuit T (time counting circuit). The timer power-supply circuit TC outputs a voltage V0 when the voltage is input.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a timer apparatus (20) that can stabilize an input voltage to a time counting circuit (23) even when being used in a wide range of the input voltage, and reduce heat generation when the input voltage is high. The timer apparatus (20) includes: a waveform smoothing circuit (26) that smoothes the input voltage from the outside using at least one of capacitors (C1,C2) and a step-down circuit (22) that adjusts a voltage supplied to the time counting circuit (23). The waveform smoothing circuit (26) includes a switching circuit (21) that switches the capacitors (C1,C2) to be used according to the input voltage.