AC Line Signal Detection Device Using Voltage Range Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC line signal detection devices take at least half the period of the AC line signal to detect anomalies after a loss of power, which delays the shutdown process of electronic equipment and requires large capacitors, increasing size and cost.
Innovation Solution
An AC line signal detection device using a semiconductor integrated circuit that rectifies the AC line signal, divides it into voltage ranges with reference voltages proportional to its amplitude, measures the duration in each range, and determines if it exceeds a set time to quickly detect power loss, allowing for accurate and rapid detection of anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If full-wave rectification is used to convert AC line signal to pulse signal, then the detection method is simple, but the detection time is at least half the period of AC line signal which is too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the AC line signal into multiple voltage ranges using reference voltages, and monitors which range the signal falls into. This segmentation allows detection of anomalies within a single half-cycle rather than requiring half a full-cycle, reducing detection time while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured voltage range comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes multiple reference voltages corresponding to different voltage ranges before signal detection begins. These reference voltages are prepared in advance to enable immediate comparison and anomaly detection when the AC line signal enters an abnormal state, eliminating the need to wait for half a period as in traditional methods.
2Reliability
If large capacitors are used to maintain power during shutdown, then power supply stability is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent detects AC line signal anomalies in advance (within one half-cycle) and initiates shutdown procedures earlier. This preliminary detection allows the system to begin orderly shutdown sequences before complete power loss, reducing the energy storage requirement for maintaining power stability during shutdown and enabling smaller capacitor sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the power supply system to detect anomalies and initiate self-shutdown procedures autonomously without external intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to manage its own power distribution and shutdown sequence, optimizing capacitor sizing by coordinating shutdown timing with detected anomaly patterns rather than requiring oversized capacitors for extended backup power.
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
This solution enables fast and accurate detection of AC line signal anomalies, reducing the time to initiate shutdown and allowing for smaller capacitors, thus improving detection speed and reducing component size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion section (31) to rectify the AC line signal and convert the rectified signal to an input signal to be fed to the semiconductor integrated circuit (32)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an AC line signal detection device including: a semiconductor integrated circuit; and a conversion section adapted to rectify an AC line signal and convert the rectified signal to an input signal to be fed to the semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein the semiconductor integrated circuit includes a monitoring section adapted to divide the AC line signal into a plurality of voltage ranges with at least one reference voltage proportional to the amplitude of the AC line signal to monitor within which voltage range the AC line signal falls; a measuring section adapted to measure a duration for which the AC line signal remains in each of the voltage ranges; and a determination section adapted to determine, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring section and the measurement result of the measuring section, whether the duration for which the AC line signal remains in each of the voltage ranges exceeds a set time which can be set in advance to make a pass/fail determination on the AC line signal.