Adaptive Overcurrent Protection System with Dynamic Sensing Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overcurrent protective systems lack adaptability to diverse electronic devices and circuits, leading to inadequate protection against overcurrent conditions, which can result in damage due to intermittently occurring overcurrents and sensitivity issues during surges like electrostatic discharge or electrical overstress.
Innovation Solution
An overcurrent protective system that includes a current detector, an overcurrent counting unit, and a controller, which selects appropriate overcurrent sensing levels, protection start standards, and overload sensing levels based on the type and properties of the element or circuit to determine and respond to overcurrent conditions, thereby preventing damage and ensuring sensitive reaction to overcurrent surges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed overcurrent sensing level is used, then the protection operation is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt to diverse electronic devices and circuits with different current requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by providing multiple overcurrent sensing levels (first, second, third levels) that can be selectively applied based on the specific electronic device or circuit being protected. The system dynamically selects the appropriate sensing level rather than using a fixed threshold, allowing adaptation to diverse current requirements while maintaining a manageable system structure through organized level selection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of overcurrent sensing levels by providing multiple distinct threshold values (first overcurrent sensing level, second overcurrent sensing level, third overcurrent sensing level) corresponding to different device types. This parameter variation enables the system to adapt to different electronic devices and circuits with varying current characteristics without requiring complete system redesign
2Reliability
If the protection operation stops immediately upon detecting overcurrent, then the circuit is protected from damage, but the system becomes overly sensitive to transient surges like electrostatic discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a counting mechanism that monitors the number of times overcurrent occurs before triggering protection shutdown. Instead of immediately shutting down at the first overcurrent event, the system preliminarily counts occurrences and only activates protection when the count reaches a predetermined threshold, thereby filtering out transient surges while maintaining protection against sustained overcurrent conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by introducing a buffer mechanism through the overcurrent counting function. The system cushions against false protection activation by requiring multiple overcurrent occurrences before shutdown, thereby protecting the circuit from damage while tolerating transient surges like electrostatic discharge that would otherwise trigger unnecessary shutdowns
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple overcurrent sensing levels are provided for different device types, then adaptability to diverse devices is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of selection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the overcurrent sensing levels into distinct categories (first, second, third levels) that correspond to different types of electronic devices or circuits. This segmentation organizes the multiple sensing levels in a structured manner, making it easier to select the appropriate level for a given device type while maintaining adaptability across diverse applications
Data Source
AI summary
An overcurrent protective system includes a current detector which detects a current flowing in an element which is to be protected by the overcurrent protective system, an overcurrent counting unit which selects an overcurrent sensing level corresponding to the element among a plurality of overcurrent sensing levels which are threshold values becoming standards for determining whether the current detected by the current detector is a normal current or an overcurrent and which determines whether the current is the overcurrent or not by comparing the current with the selected overcurrent sensing level, and a controller which decreases an output voltage of a circuit which is to be protected by the overcurrent protective system and includes the element when the current flowing in the element is determined as the overcurrent.