Two-Wire Transmitter Dynamic Voltage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-wire transmitters face challenges in securing sufficient consumable power while maintaining circuit stability, particularly when the output current is small, limiting their performance and ability to enhance sensor S/N ratio and add functions.

Innovation Solution

The two-wire transmitter dynamically controls circuit voltage according to output current, using a shunt regulator circuit and a reference voltage processing unit to increase consumable power by adjusting the duty ratio of a PWM signal, ensuring sufficient power even at low output states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the shunt regulator fixes the circuit voltage in a low voltage range to stabilize circuit operation, then circuit stability is improved, but consumable power becomes insufficient when output current is small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit operation stabilityVSAvoidconsumable power
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shunt regulator dynamically adjusts the circuit voltage based on the output current magnitude. When output current is small (e.g., 4 mA), the regulator increases circuit voltage to secure sufficient consumable power. When output current is large (e.g., 20 mA), the regulator maintains lower voltage to ensure adequate voltage headroom for operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit voltage parameter is changed based on operating conditions. The shunt regulator modifies the circuit voltage level according to the output current, transitioning from a fixed low voltage approach to a variable voltage approach. This parameter change enables the circuit to have sufficient power margin at low currents while maintaining stability at high currents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the output current increases to provide more signal range, then the signal output capability is improved, but the voltage drops across feedback and detection resistors increase, lowering the securable circuit voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput current rangeVSAvoidcircuit voltage headroom
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shunt regulator dynamically compensates for voltage drops caused by increased output current. As output current increases from 4 mA to 20 mA, the regulator adjusts the circuit voltage to maintain adequate headroom for circuit operation. This dynamic compensation allows the full output current range to be utilized without sacrificing circuit voltage margin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If more consumable power is secured to enhance circuit operation speed and add functions, then performance is improved, but it becomes difficult to maintain circuit operation stability with conventional shunt regulator design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit operation speedVSAvoidcircuit operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shunt regulator provides dynamic voltage adjustment that adapts to power consumption requirements. When high performance is needed, the regulator can increase circuit voltage to provide more power margin for faster operation and additional functions. When standard operation is sufficient, the regulator maintains lower voltage for stability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between performance enhancement and stability maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2439711B1Two-wire transmitter
Publication Date: 2015.07.22 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2439711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2439711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2439711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a two-wire transmitter (100) which is connected to an external circuit (10) by two transmission lines (L1,L2) and which outputs a certain current signal to the external circuit using the external circuit as a power source. The two-wire transmitter includes: a sensor (102) configured to convert a physical quantity into a first electrical signal (51) and output the first electrical signal; a signal processing circuit (104) configured to perform certain processing on the first electrical signal and output a second electrical signal; a constant current circuit (106) configured to determine the certain current signal to be output to the external circuit, based on the second electrical signal; a reference voltage output unit (110) configured to output a reference voltage based on the second electrical signal; and a shunt regulator circuit (108) configured to determine a circuit voltage of the two-wire transmitter based on the reference voltage.